Following a thrilling end to last season, Atalanta BC is set to start their new league campaign with a trip south to face Lecce at Stadio Via del Mare.

After a 61-year wait, Atalanta BC brought home a major trophy by overcoming a formidable Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final last season, marking a high point in Gian Piero Gasperini’s tenure. Gasperini has transformed the team from Serie A underdogs to continental contenders, with Ademola Lookman’s hat-trick in Dublin erasing the disappointment of losing to Juventus in the Coppa Italia final.

Atalanta finished just behind Juventus in the league, claiming fourth place by winning six of their last seven matches, capping off a memorable season. However, their preparations for the new campaign have been disrupted by injuries and potential departures, with Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini out for several months and Teun Koopmeiners and El-Bilal Toure possibly leaving.

Lecce, after a disappointing Coppa Italia exit last summer, avoided another upset by securing a win against Mantova in the first round thanks to a late goal from Nikola Krstovic. Their pre-season was mixed, with a win over Werder Bremen followed by losses to Galatasaray, Huddersfield Town, and Nice. Under new manager Luca Gotti, who took over after Roberto D'Aversa's dismissal, Lecce will aim for their second-ever opening-day Serie A win, having achieved their first such victory last year after a history of draws and defeats.

Prediction:  Lecce 1-1 Atalanta BC

Lecce vs Atalanta BC stream and TV listing

Argentina：Disney+ Argentina

Bahrain：STARZPLAY

International：Score808 808ball