Why Atalanta drop player of the month in Liverpool

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini explains why he is leaving their Player of the Month on the bench against Liverpool in the Europa League quarter-final.

The first leg kicks off at Anfield on Thursday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

La Dea have regularly swapped goalkeepers so far this season, but in recent months Marco Carnesecchi has become the first choice, with performances that saw him voted Player of the Month for March by fans.

However, Gasperini announced during his press conference that Carnesecchi will not be wearing the gloves against Liverpool tomorrow, as that will go to Juan Musso.

“Musso is playing. He had started the season as first choice and with the explosion of Carnesecchi we opted for other situations,” said the coach.

“He too has helped Carnesecchi to grow.”

Carnesecchi has 23 competitive games so far this season, earning eight clean sheets.

Only one of those matches was in the Europa League, during a 4-0 victory away to Rakow on December 14, and then he was substituted at the 84^th minute to give Francesco Rossi a rare run-out.

Argentine Musso made 10 Serie A appearances, one in the Coppa Italia and seven in the Europa League, keeping seven clean sheets.

His only games in 2024 were in the Europa League Round of 16, drawing 1-1 away to Sporting CP and winning 2-1 at home, and the Coppa Italia against Sassuolo on January 3.

Carnesecchi was promoted for the Coppa Italia and had been expected to get the role against Liverpool too.

Atalanta make the trip to Liverpool without injured Giorgio Scalvini, but Marten de Roon and Davide Zappacosta are likely to start, as they are suspended in Serie A for Monday’s match against Verona.

Atalanta squad: Musso, Carnesecchi, Rossi; Toloi, Holm, Hien, Djimsiti, Bakker, Ruggeri, Kolasinac, Hateboer, Bonfanti, Zappacosta; Koopmeiners, Pasalic, Ederson, De Roon, Adopo, Miranchuk; El Bilal Touré, Lookman, De Ketelaere, Scamacca