Atalanta Faces Shakhtar Donetsk Amid Injury Challenges in Champions League Standoff

Atalanta B.C. is set to face Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The match is part of Matchday 2 in the competition’s group stage. Kickoff is scheduled for 17:45 UK time (16:45 GMT).

Both Atalanta and Shakhtar Donetsk opened their Champions League campaigns with draws. Atalanta held Arsenal to a 0-0 stalemate at home, while Shakhtar drew by the same scoreline against Bologna at the Stadio Dall'Ara. The two teams are eager to secure their first goals and victories in the tournament.

Atalanta faces significant challenges as it grapples with a string of injuries. Marco Brescianini and Matteo Ruggeri are the latest additions to a list of absentees that includes Isak Hien, Rafael Toloi, Giorgio Scalvini, and Gianluca Scamacca. As a result, Davide Zappacosta will occupy the left flank with Raoul Bellanova on the right. Ademola Lookman, Lazar Samardzic, and Charles De Ketelaere are expected to start, with De Ketelaere playing as a False 9.

Shakhtar Donetsk also faces its own squad difficulties. Forward Danylo Sikan is unavailable due to injury, along with long-term absentee Tymur Puznakov. The team may adjust its formation to counter Atalanta’s three-man defense. The lineup is anticipated to include players such as Riznyk, Bondar, Matviyenko, Gomes, Kryskiv, and Sudakov.

Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro is set to officiate the match, which will be broadcast through the streaming service Paramount+, providing both live streams and on-demand replays. The competition has adapted a new format this season, shifting from a traditional group stage to a league-style system with more teams participating, which has sparked discussions among football fans and analysts alike regarding the competitiveness of the matches.