ATALANTA BERGAMASCA CALCIO

[Jager]

Doni pleased with pre-season Friday 10 August, 2007

Atalanta star Cristiano Doni is pleased with the team’s pre-season performances despite defeat in the Teresa Herrera Tournament.

The Bergamaschi were defeated 2-1 by Portuguese team Belenenses on Thursday, having already been beaten on penalties by La Liga side Deportivo La Coruna earlier in the week

However, the midfielder is far from disappointed by his teammates’ performance and behaviour on the pitch, despite the final results.

“We proved that we are a great team,” Doni told the gathered Press after returning to Italy with the rest of the team on Friday.

“We were not favoured by the final results, but expressed ourselves by playing good football,” added the former Sampdoria and Real Mallorca man.

“Deportivo only defeated us on penalties playing in their own stadium. The match with Belenenses was decided by Moris Carrozzieri’s sending off, we had dominated the match until then.

“We showed our true worth and also confirmed that we have extraordinary supporters. We already knew that, but these lads just keep on surprising us,” concluded Doni.

Coach Gigi Del Neri was also pleased with his players’ performances and believes that the Spanish experience was very important.

“We did not win, but did well anyway. The players kept on fighting until the end, showing determination and personality,” explained the former Chievo boss.

“The tournament was very useful, it helped us adapt to our new tactics,” he explained.

“I am only sorry that in last night’s match I was not able to try some more tactics after we went down to 10 men, but it isn’t a problem,” he finished.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Atalanta and Empoli drew 1-1 in a pre-season friendly, but Sampdoria were defeated by Serie C side Legnano.

Bergamo hosted the all-Serie A match just a week before the official season kicks off and both teams can be satisfied with the run-out.


Atalanta took the lead after 29 minutes when Riccardo Zampagna turned in the assist from ex-Cagliari star Antonio Langella.


Empoli fought back after the break and it was Juventus youth product Rej Volpato who secured a draw, confirming his fine pre-season performances.


“Next Sunday we will play our first game of the Serie A season away to Fiorentina, so it was important to work well today,” said Empoli boss Gigi Cagni.


“The team looked good in terms of play and aggression. I am very satisfied, as despite the intense heat everyone gave their all against an opponent of real quality.”


Sampdoria fielded their second string squad and players looking for match fitness, but still should have done better than a 1-0 defeat to Legnano.


Vincenzo Montella played the entire 90 minutes in a bid to get back on form and had some scoring opportunities.


New arrival Antonio Cassano did not take part

ch4

[Trim]

Francisco Costinha is set to leave Atletico Madrid on a free transfer to Atalanta.

The Serie A side need a man of experience in the middle of the park, and they feel that Costinha, who once won the Champions League with Porto, fits the bill. His paymasters at Atleti have assented to the free transfer.

Had he remained, Costinha would have faced intense competition for a midfield berth at the Vicente Calderon this season.

In addition to Maniche and Luccin, who remain from last season, the likes of Raul Garcia, Luis Garcia, Simao and Reyes can all fill variyng roles in the centre of the pitch.

As such, the Portuguese midfielder agreed with his club that the best course of action would be for him to try his luck elsewhere.

His last action in a rojiblanco shirt came on Saturday night during the 2-0 friendly win away to Getafe, during which he limped off after just 25 minutes due to injury.

The ex-Monaco man has been capped 53 times for his country. He is also a Portuguese knight, having been given the honorific title of Ordem do Infante D. Henrique.

Atalanta coach Luigi del Neri knows the player from the boss' brief and unsuccessful stint in charge at the Estadio do Dragao.

Goal.com - Atletico Madrid - Costinha Set For Atalanta

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Cristiano Doni has extended his contract with Atalanta until 2009, announced President Ivan Ruggeri.

There were fears the captain would walk out on the club after an argument with Ruggeri, but this afternoon the two parties agreed to put pen to paper.


“We hope that Cristiano will continue to play for a long time yet. It would mean he is in good shape and Atalanta need a player like him,” said the patron.


This is the Italian international’s second stint at the club, as he had the most successful years of his career here from 1998 to 2003, earning him a place in the 2002 World Cup squad.


He had disappointing stints at Sampdoria and Real Mallorca before returning to Atalanta in the summer of 2006.


“Obviously I am satisfied with the deal. Now to celebrate he can put in one of his wonderful performances this weekend.”


Atalanta welcome Lazio to the Stadio Azzurri d’Italia on Sunday afternoon.


Former Biancocelesti defender Leonardo Talamonti is expected to start in central defence with Antonio Langella out wide on the left

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[kennethlindheim]

Newcastle are apparently signing Fabio Zamblera today? I've never heard of him. Could anyone give me info about him?

[D-Kin]

He's a product of the Atalanta youth system.

ie. expect him to be good.

[Daniel24]

Atalanta lead Acquafresca chase

Atalanta are in pole position to snap up talented youngster Robert Acquafresca, who could join them on loan for the next two seasons.

The striker is currently co-owned by Inter and Cagliari, with the Nerazzurri expected to sign him completely in June.

However, according to the player’s agent Paolo Fabbri the negotiations may take a long while.

“I believe Cagliari President Massimo Cellino will try to gain time. I don’t think they will reach an agreement soon,” said Fabbri.

“Atalanta are interested, I can confirm that. I cannot deny that the Bergamaschi are close to the player and have an advantage over other teams.

“But, the player will only go there if Inter sign him and can reach an agreement with Atalanta. Inter have got big plans for him.”

Acquafresca scored 10 goals in 32 appearances for the Rossoblu this season, and Inter President Massimo Moratti has great faith in him.

“The Nerazzurri told me that his future will be at San Siro, which is why they won’t sell him and will settle only for a loan deal. They have one specific request: wherever he goes, Robert must play as a regular.

“They want him to get as much experience as possible so that he can return to the club through the front door.

"Lazio have also shown an interest but since they already have Tommaso Rocchi and Goran Pandev I don’t think there would be enough opportunity for him to play regularly there,” concluded Fabbri.

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