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Serie A Week 22 - 9/2/08 (17.00 UK)
Atalanta - Fiorentina

Stadio Azzurri d'Italia

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Fiorentina will be looking to kick-start their Champions League challenge when they travel to Bergamo for a tricky tie against Atalanta. The Viola saw their four-match winning streak ended by a resurgent Milan side at the weekend, while the Orobici are fresh from a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Parma which halted their winless skid at four.

Cesare Prandelli’s men will be confident of getting back to winning ways this week, as they have a decent record on their travels – five wins, four draws and just a solitary defeat. Most impressive, though, is their defensive record as they have managed to keep six clean sheets away from the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Atalanta, on the other hand, have stopped their opponents from scoring just three times all season.

This match is always noted on the calendars of Riccardo Montolivo and Giampaolo Pazzini as it marks their return to the club where they first made their name. The Bergamo boys’ youth academy is arguably the finest in the land and these two graduates will look to showcase that this weekend. They both retain their places in Prandelli’s starting XI, which is only likely to see one change. Marco Donadel is back from a ban so he will slot back into his midfield role, with Martin Jorgensen dropping to the bench. Fabio Liverani and Franco Semioli remain in the treatment room.

Gigi Del Neri wishes he had as few worries as his opposite number. The man who masterminded the Chievo miracle has worked wonders with the Orobici this term and is currently on course to surpass the achievements of last season when Stefano Colantuono led them to eighth-place. It’s certainly not going to be easy against Fiorentina though, as he is without several key players.

Cristiano Doni, scorer of eight goals and generally the go-to guy, is suspended along with Gianpaolo Bellini and Tiberio Guarente. It’s not all bad news though, as Fernando Tissone is available again after serving a ban, while Manuel Belleri and Michele Paolucci are also expected to get the nod. Much of the scoring burden will fall on Antonio Langella – with the former Cagliari winger having netted six times this term – and three-goal Sergio Floccari.

The recent head-to-head record between the sides is as close as they get, with two wins apiece since 2001 and the rest of the games finishing all square. The last two matches have been 2-2 draws, the latest secured late on by Riccardo Zampagna, who no longer plays for Atalanta after falling out with Del Neri.

Keep an eye on: Giampaolo Pazzini (Fiorentina) – Scored the goals which secured the Viola’s last win against his former club and was also on target in the 2-2 draw in Bergamo last term.

Last season: Atalanta 2-2 Fiorentina

Form guide: Atalanta (D L L D W) Fiorentina (W W W W L)


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Atalanta (probable): Coppola; Rivalta, Carrozzieri, Pellegrino, Belleri; Ferreira Pinto, Tissone, De Ascentis, Langella; Paolucci, Floccari

Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Ujfalusi, Kroldrup, Gamberini, Pasqual; Kuzmanovic, Donadel, Montolivo; Santana, Pazzini, Mutu

Ref: To follow...

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