All roads lead to Bergamo in Champions League chase

Back in 2018/19, Gian Piero Gasperini's Atalanta stunned Italian football by qualifying for the Champions League. On Monday night, they have the chance to book their place for the fifth time in seven seasons.

And although they face arguably the continent's most in-form team, the Nerazzurri have grown used to being favourites — and rightly so.

A quick glance at both clubs' trajectories during this period tells the story. Aside from two campaigns in which they missed out on Champions League football (2021/22 and 2022/23, although they still qualified for the Europa League in the latter), Atalanta have amassed 485 points, making them the fifth most consistent side in Serie A.

Roma, who have not featured in the Champions League over the same stretch, have collected 450 points.

Lazio, with 467, have also failed to outpace La Dea. Only Milan (504), Juventus (515), Inter (569), and Napoli (591, not including their match against Genoa) have been more successful over that period.

Yet Ranieri's Roma, currently on a 19-game unbeaten run in the league — the longest active streak across Europe's major leagues — are determined to join the elite.

A win in Bergamo would not guarantee them Champions League qualification mathematically, but it would take them back into fourth place and ensure that their fate remains in their own hands as they chase a spot alongside Gasperini's men in next season's draw.