Gasperini awaits emotional return to Atalanta with high-flying Roma

Gian Piero Gasperini is preparing for a big return to Atalanta on Saturday as his Roma team travel to Bergamo trying to stay in touch with Serie A's title chasers.

In charge of Roma since the summer, Gasperini is an Atalanta icon for his role in the traditionally tiny club's rise from also-rans to flamboyant top-four challengers and, in 2024, Europa League winners.

Gasperini was hand-picked to lead Roma at 67 by his predecessor Claudio Ranieri, who is still at the club as an advisor to the American owners.

After the phenomenal job he did in nine years at Atalanta, Gasperini will undoubtedly be hailed as a returning hero by Atalanta's fervent home support at the Gewiss Stadium, until kick-off.

"It will definitely be emotional, but I'm happy to be going back there with a Roma team in a good position in the table and in a positive place," said Gasperini after Monday's 3-1 win over Genoa.

"Going back to that stadium, those fans and the players who allowed me to have a great career will be a really great feeling."

Roma sit fourth, three points behind league leaders Inter Milan, who host Bologna on Sunday night in the first round of fixtures in a packed January.

However, Roma have played a game more than Inter, AC Milan and Napoli, who are all ahead of Gasperini's team at the top of the division. That trio missed league fixtures while contesting the Italian Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Saturday's clash will be tricky even though Atalanta are 11 points behind Roma in 10th, as Raffaele Palladino has looked like the true heir to Gasperini ever since replacing Ivan Juric last month.

Last weekend's narrow defeat to Inter was only Atalanta's second at home this season and Roma have a poor record in matches against direct rivals -- which Atalanta are regardless of their league position.

Roma have lost six times in Serie A this season, with four of those defeats coming against Inter, Milan, Napoli and fifth-placed Juventus who host lowly Lecce on Saturday.

One of Roma's key problems has been goalscoring with just 20 netted in 17 league fixtures. Gasperini will be hoping Ireland striker Evan Ferguson repeats his form against Genoa, when his goal and assist were key to that win.