Champions League: Atalanta vs Athletic Club Bilbao – probable line-ups and where to watch on TV
Atalanta welcome Athletic Club Bilbao to Bergamo for a crucial Champions League clash on Wednesday evening, with both sides still in the race for qualification but whilst Atalanta look set to cruise into the next round, Athletic Club face must-win game.
Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 local time at the New Balance Arena.
Raffaele Palladino’s side come into the match after a draw with Pisa in Serie A and appear to have avoided fresh injury concerns from that outing.
However, Atalanta will still be without Berat Djimsiti, who is struggling with a hip issue, and Raoul Bellanova, sidelined by a hamstring problem.
Ademola Lookman has recently returned from AFCON duty and could be included in the squad, although he is more likely to feature from the bench if involved.
Charles De Ketelaere is expected to play a central role again after back-to-back decisive performances in Europe, having scored and assisted in recent Champions League victories. Gianluca Scamacca should lead the line as Atalanta look to impose themselves at home.
Athletic Bilbao travel to Italy with several absences of their own.
Aymeric Laporte is a doubt due to a thigh problem, while Benat Prados, Mikel Vesga, Maroan Sannadi and Nico Serrano are all unavailable. Despite those setbacks, Ernesto Valverde can rely on Nico Williams, who found the net against Mallorca last time out and will be aiming to build momentum.
Gorka Guruzeta remains Bilbao’s top scorer in the competition, even if his European goals have dried up in recent weeks.
Atalanta vs Athletic Club Bilbao – where to watch on TV
The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 8 in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the United States. Football Italia will provide live coverage and updates.
Atalanta vs Athletic Club Bilbao – probable line-ups
Atalanta (3-4-2-1):
Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; De Ketelaere, Pasalic; Scamacca.
Athletic Club Bilbao (4-2-3-1):
Simon; Areso, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Jauregizar, Ruiz de Galarreta; Berenguer, Sancet, Nico Williams; Guruzeta.