Atalanta Vs Napoli: Lineup Choices, Injuries and Conte’s Surprise on the Flanks Shape a 2-1 Bergamo Result
The official selections for atalanta vs napoli at the New Balance Arena left Ederson, Gianluca Scamacca, Matteo Politano and Leonardo Spinazzola out of the starting XI, a set of absences that held immediate tactical consequences. Those decisions mattered: Conte opened with Mazzocchi and Gutierrez on the wings while Palladino picked Krstovic up front, and Atalanta ultimately beat Napoli 2-1.
Atalanta Vs Napoli: Official lineups at New Balance Arena
The teams unveiled mirror 3-4-2-1 formations for the 15: 00 kickoff. Atalanta fielded Carnesecchi in goal, a back three of Scalvini, Hien and Kolasinac, a midfield with Bellanova, De Roon, Pasalic and Zappacosta, and an attacking pair of Sulemana and Zalewski behind Krstovic; the coach listed was Palladino. Napoli’s starting XI set Milinkovic-Savic in goal, Beukema, Buongiorno and Juan Jesus across the back, Mazzocchi, Elmas, Lobotka and Gutierrez in midfield, Vergara and Alisson Santos behind Hojlund; the coach was Conte.
Ederson’s fatigue from Dortmund and Pasalic’s mediano role
Ederson had left the Champions League trip to Dortmund looking fatigued after a 2-0 defeat to Borussia. He was nonetheless included in the matchday squad but began on the bench, with Pasalic deployed as the mediano and De Roon alongside him. The immediate effect was a midfield reshuffle intended to preserve Ederson while maintaining midfield balance for the opening phases.
Scamacca, Palladino and the forward choice for Atalanta
The central-forward spot was the subject of a late ballot: Palladino ultimately selected Krstovic to start, leaving Gianluca Scamacca initially on the bench. That benching was a clear tactical choice by the Atalanta coach, shaping how Atalanta sought to press and transition from the first minute.
Conte’s wing gamble: Mazzocchi and Gutierrez start
Conte’s game plan for the Bergamo trip prioritized the wide channels, with a stated aim to limit width and opponent insertions and to blunt the between-the-lines qualities of players such as Samardžić and Zalewski. To ensure balance and defensive coverage from the outset, Conte opened with Mazzocchi and Gutiérrez on the flanks. The plan explicitly reserved Matteo Politano and Leonardo Spinazzola for use as second-half options, the idea being initial solidity and different solutions as the match evolved.
Spinazzola’s fitness: partial training, bench role and background
Sky flagged that Leonardo Spinazzola was not at 100% physical condition. He trained only partially during the week, travelled with the squad and was named to start on the bench for the trip to Bergamo against Palladino’s Atalanta. Spinazzola had earlier left the game against Roma with a muscular concern, withdrawing early in the second half to avoid further risk; while the worst was avoided, he was not fully fit and Conte preferred Mazzocchi on the right while shifting Gutierrez to the left. The context notes Spinazzola as an ex of the Dea.
Politano, Alisson Santos and recent form
Matteo Politano was also omitted from the starting XI, with Alisson Santos preferred. Alisson had entered as a substitute against Roma and scored the goal that made it 2-2, a contribution that helped earn him a start. Politano, wearing number 21, is described as recently returning from a muscle injury and not yet at full sharpness, which influenced the coaching choice.
Match outcome and standing: Atalanta 2-1 Napoli on 22 Feb
The fixture concluded with Atalanta overcoming Napoli 2-1; the post-match references highlight Samardzic in the game summary. The result arrived on 22 Feb, a day on which Napoli is noted as remaining in 3rd place in the standings. What makes this notable is how selection choices driven by fitness concerns and specific flank management translated into both the starting XI and the match’s decisive moments.
Additional context: a local site described itself as a platform for fans and staff closely tied to Napoli; that outlet and Sky provided the fitness updates that shaped pre-match expectation. On the field, the combined effect of Ederson’s conservation to the bench, Krstovic’s start over Scamacca, Alisson Santos’s promotion and Spinazzola’s managed return produced the tactical profiles seen at the New Balance Arena and fed directly into the 2-1 final scoreline.
