Atalanta's hopes for a strong finish to the Serie A season may hinge on improved performances from several of their summer signings, according to a report from Italian media. The club, currently seven points adrift of the European qualification spots, is looking for a late-season surge from players including Lazar Samardzic, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Odilon Kossounou, and Raoul Bellanova.
After a promising start to 2025, highlighted by a key goal from Samardzic in the Champions League playoff against Borussia Dortmund, the team's form has dipped. Defeats in the Coppa Italia semi-final against Lazio and a recent loss to Cagliari have left their European ambitions hanging by a thread. Statistical models from Opta reportedly give Atalanta only a 2.45% chance of finishing sixth.
The burden has fallen heavily on veteran pillars like Marten de Roon, Davide Zappacosta, and Berat Djimsiti, who have been the most-used outfield players this season. With the physical toll of a congested schedule showing, coach Gian Piero Gasperini needs more from his squad's depth. The report suggests that several newer arrivals have seen their playing time and performance levels decline at a critical juncture.
Lazar Samardzic arrived from Udinese last summer with significant expectations. After a period of adjustment, the Serbian midfielder appeared to find his footing in February, scoring decisive goals against Napoli and Dortmund. However, his influence has waned since, managing only 15 minutes of league action across the last five matches despite opportunities arising from injuries to Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori.
Similarly, defender Odilon Kossounou, a signing from Bayer Leverkusen, has struggled to replicate his Bundesliga-winning form. Cited as having the lowest average performance rating among Atalanta's centre-backs in Serie A this season, the Ivorian has started just one league match since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in January. His integration has been more challenging than during his injury-disrupted first season at the club.
On the flank, Raoul Bellanova's output has notably decreased. After registering 10 assists in the previous league campaign, the wing-back has contributed only one this season. While he missed a period in December and January with a hamstring injury, his recent performances as a starter, including in the draws with Roma and the loss to Cagliari, have been described as lacking their usual spark.
The report also highlights the contributions of forward Kamaldeen Sulemana, signed from Southampton. In 35 appearances across all competitions, the Ghanaian has recorded three goals and two assists, a return that may be considered insufficient for a club consistently competing at the top end of Serie A. With just two league wins since the start of March, Atalanta's form has fallen away from its earlier promise in the calendar year.
As the season reaches its conclusion with four matches remaining, the pressure is on for these players to justify their acquisitions and help Atalanta salvage a European place. Their performances in the final weeks could also be pivotal in determining the club's planning and evaluation of the squad ahead of the next transfer window.
