By Content Editor
19 October 2021, 09:48 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Match Preview Manchester United vs Atalanta Champions League Oct 20, 2021

The Red Devils will host the Italian side, Atalanta BC, at Old Trafford on UCL Matchday 3 in a bid to claim the top spot in Group F. Referee Szymon Marciniak (POL) will have the help of the assistant referees, Paweł Sokolnicki (POL) and Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL). Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL) will have his watchful eyes on the VAR monitor.

Preview Manchester United Champions League, Oct 20, 2021

Preview The Red Devils picked up a famous defeat to Leicester City in the shape of a 4-2 loss at the King Power Stadium on Saturday. They return to the star-studded circle of champions after Matchday 2’s 2-1 win over Villarreal thanks to a last-gasp effort in stoppage time by Cristiano Ronaldo (90’+5). It was his 136th goal in the tournament. Following the weekend’s 4-2 defeat to the Foxes, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær comes under increased pressure and a defeat to Atalanta is unthinkable. Manchester United sits in 3rd place in Group F, on par in points with second-placed BSC Young Boys, while having 3 points after 1W, 0D & 1L. Ahead of the double header against the Italians, United's overall record against Italian opposition on home soil is 14W, 3D, & 3L. With three defeats in five games across all competitions, LLWDL, Ole will try to avoid back-to-back defeats on Wednesday. A familiar 4—2—3—1 formation with Ronaldo at the top of the design may be seen once again on UCL Matchday 3. The Portuguese ace and September 2021 Player-of-the-month in the Premier Legue will be in the hunt for another UCL goal when United takes on Atalanta. Marcus Rashford could make his first appearance in the UEFA Champions League this season, having made a cameo over the weekend which saw him bag his first goal in his first Premier League appearance. Raphaël Varane suffered an adductor strain on international duty and remains sidelined for weeks.

Preview Atalanta Champions League, Oct 20, 2021

Preview Atalanta picked Empoli apart over the weekend in a 4-1 Serie A win on home soil. The Italian outfit sits at the top of Group F following the 1-0 victory over BSC Young Boys on UCL Matchday 2 courtesy of a single strike from Matteo Pessina (68’). The weekend victory over Empoli leaves Atalanta with three victories in five games across all competitions: WDWLW. For this game, a 3—4—2—1 formation, with Duvan Zapata leading the attack is expected from Gian Piero Gasperini. Following his 89th minute strike against Empoli, Zapata became the first-ever Colombian to bag a century of goals in Serie A. Atalanta could be without several key players. Berat Djimsit is ruled out, while Matteo Pessina and Rafael Tolói remain doubtful due to thigh injuries. Pessina failed to feature for the Italians on Sunday while Tolói was replaced before half-time. Robin Gosens is ruled out alongside Hans Hateboer.

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