Since 2020 and its remarkable run in the Champions League, which ended in the quarter-finals against Paris Saint-Germain (1-2), Atalanta has established itself as one of Italy's best representatives on the European stage. After being eliminated by Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League the following year, La Dea reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League in 2022, notably knocking out Bayer Leverkusen. They faced the same opponent the following season, this time in the final of the competition, securing a historic victory in Dublin (3-0). Last season, the Lombardy club returned to the Champions League and once again distinguished themselves by holding their own against two favourites: Arsenal (0-0) and Barcelona (2-2).
Paris Saint-Germain has also moved into another dimension since 2020 and its epic journey that took it to its first ever Champions League final. Over the last six seasons, the capital club is the only European club, alongside Real Madrid, to have reached the last four of the Champions League four times: in 2020, but also in 2021, 2024 and 2025. This is an extraordinary level of consistency at the highest level for the Rouge et Bleu, who were propelled to the top of Europe on 31 May, when they won their first ever Champions League title in Munich, beating Inter Milan 5-0.
1 – Paris has lost only one of its last 11 matches against an Italian team in major European competition.
5 – With five assists to their name, Achraf Hakimi and Davide Zappacosta (Atalanta) were the defenders who provided the most assists in the Champions League last season.
10 – Paris Saint-Germain have won 10 of their last 12 matches in the Champions League.
Ivan Juric and his team should start against Paris with a 3-4-3 formation. In goal, Italian international Marco Carnesecchi is the the number one. La Dea's last line of defence should be protected by Swedish international Isak Hien, who has become the leader of the Bergamo defence. Alongside him, the promising Giorgio Scalvini is also expected to feature. The Italian international has established himself in the Lombardy club's starting eleven, as has the experienced Berat Djimsiti (57 appearances in Europe). The 32-year-old centre-back is likely to be preferred to new signing Odilon Kossounou, who arrived this summer from Bayer Leverkusen.
At right wing-back, another Italian international, Raoul Bellanova, is expected to start. The speedy right midfielder has the edge over his compatriot Davide Zappacosta, who is stronger defensively. The former Chelsea player, who has also played more than 50 matches on the European stage, can play on the opposite flank as well. But on the left side, it is new signing Nicola Zalewski who seems to be the preferred option. Signed this summer from Inter Milan, the Polish international has already settled into his new team and could start against the Parisians.
In the middle of the pitch, one duo stands out: captain Marten de Roon and his teammate Mario Pasalić. The two men in their thirties provide balance for La Dea, who are without the excellent Éderson due to injury. In the absence of the Brazilian international, Yunus Musah or Marco Brescianini could make an appearance at the Parc during the game. Further forward, in an off-centre playmaker role, Charles De Ketelaere is expected to feature. The lanky Belgian international is often at the origin of the Bergamo side's attacks and will be one of his team's main assets against the Rouge et Bleu.
Son of the legendary Paolo Maldini, Daniel Maldini has matured in his career to the point where he is now a regular starter. The Italian international could be preferred to Kamaldeen Sulemana, who arrived this summer from Southampton. Dangerous in transitions, the former Rennes player's liveliness could be useful for his team during the match. Lazar Samardžić, who has seen little action so far, is expected to start the match on the bench. Finally, leading the attack, uncertainty surrounds Gianluca Scamacca, who had to withdraw from the national team squad during the last international break due to a knee injury. With the situation surrounding Ademola Lookman still unclear following his failed transfer, Nikola Krstović should start to make up for these absences.
