[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 37 - 11/5/08 (14.00 UK)

Roma - Atalanta
Stadio Olimpico

Roma have to win if they are to have any chance of wresting the Scudetto from Inter while Atalanta – who have nothing to play for – do not intend to roll over.

The Giallorossi put in a ruthless performance at Marassi on Sunday, dispatching a valiant Sampdoria side 3-0. Roma could only manage four shots on goal, but that was enough, demoralising Walter Mazzarri’s team who were a persistent threat down the flanks.

Goals from Christian Panucci, Claudio Pizarro and a more advanced Cicinho helped Roma to their highest ever points total of 78, eclipsing that achieved by the 2001 championship-winning side. La Magica have, since losing talisman Francesco Totti to a knee injury, scored seven goals in their last two games – 15 different players have been on the scoresheet for Roma this season.

Coach Luciano Spalletti is pragmatic about Roma’s chances of catching Inter who are still three points in front of the Giallorossi despite losing to rivals Milan at the weekend. The Nerazzurri will retain the Serie A title if they beat a Siena side filled with former Roma players next Sunday. “We need to be realistic. The Nerazzurri have all the right cards to win the Scudetto,” insisted Spalletti. “Siena has its own strengths and can be calm given they have beaten Juventus.”

Atalanta are unbeaten in the last two fixtures after losing three games in a row albeit against Inter, Napoli and Juventus. The Orobici are safe on 45 points, but too far from a European place and could – if they want – go on holiday.

Credit to Gigi Del Neri’s boys, they have shown no sign of letting up, holding off a late comeback from Livorno to win 3-2. Atalanta had been 2-0 up only for the Tuscans to cancel out the deficit. Instead of settling for a draw the Bergamaschi pushed on and scored a delicious winner through Simone Padoin two minutes from time.

Del Neri will want to impress against his former employers. The 57-year-old tactician coached Roma in 2004 and was sacked after a string of disappointing results. Atalanta were defeated 2-1 by the Lupi at the Atleti Azzurri Stadium in January. This fixture has a habit of finishing that way – six of the last seven meetings between the two clubs have ended 2-1, three in favour of the Bergamaschi.

Keep an eye on: Cristiano Doni (Atalanta) – The 35-year-old trequartista leads from the front. He scored the opener on Sunday against Livorno to become Atalanta’s all time top scorer, a remarkable feat for a midfielder. The former Mallorca man, who has enjoyed two spells at Atalanta, overtook Adriano Bassetto’s record of 56 goals set over 50 years ago in 1957, etching his name into the Nerazzurri’s history books.

Last season: Roma 2-1 Atalanta

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

Roma (probable): Doni; Cassetti, Mexes, Panucci, Tonetto; De Rossi, Pizarro; Cicinho, Perotta, Mancini; Vucinic

Atalanta (probable): Coppola; Rivalta, Talamonti, Manfredini, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, Tissone, Guarente, Padoin; Doni; Floccari

Ref: To follow...

2nd last game of the season.wth 2nd spot secured, better safe the lads for a tough final in coppa against inter.