ATALANTA BERGAMASCA CALCIO

[D-Kin]

Atalanta have definitely been the surprise team of this season (along with Catania) and it's mainly been down to the form of Cristiano Doni. I'll be surprised if he doesn't get a call up to the NT after the season he's had so far.

[D-Kin]

As for Ascoli, well they're as good as down already.

[Jager]

The other Adriano....Atalanta's Adriano Ferreira Pinto.

He dominated Livorno last week. The guy is decent, but not young.

ESPNsoccernet: Adriano Ferreira Pinto

All his crosses were gold last week.

[D-Kin]

He's also played for Lanciano, Perugia and Cesena.

He's certainly got some pace, I'll say that much.

[Jager]

Lanciano? I used to live just a few miles from Lanciano.

Its just funny that he is the creative magic that Atalanta have, and one of the main reasons they are doing well, and will stick.

Atalanta is the other club that develops young talent.

[D-Kin]

Although he's done well I have to say Cristiano Doni has been the key, he's had the creativity and the goals. But you're right, Atalanta are one of the best clubs in the country when it comes to developing future stars. Pazzini and Montolivo both came through their youth system as well.

As for Lanciano, they're stuck in Serie C1/B at the moment.

[Jager]

They are a small team mate.

Yes, no doubt. Doni is their key, their main player.

But Adriano supplies him.

Anyways, impressive stuff from them.

[D-Kin]

By the way Lanciano have close ties with your home town team Pescara, they have a friendly with each other every season.

[Jager]

I'm fully aware mate. We also have close ties with Foggia.

[D-Kin]

Ah, it's good to see you keep up-to-date.

[Forza_Roma]

I think Doni will definitely get a call for the NT friendly coming up. Poor Ascoli...only one win this season. And only a short time ago, they surprisngly held Milan to a draw...but that seems like decades ago!

[D-Kin]

Ascoli are in talks with Atalanta for Nelson Abeijon and Andrea Soncin.

tribalfootball.com - Ascoli go for Atalanta pair

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 21 - 28/1/07 (14.00 UK)
Atalanta - Catania

Stadio Azzurri d'Italia

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Sixth-placed Atalanta will be hoping to continue their fine start to 2007 when they welcome Catania to the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia. The Orobici got off to a flier in the New Year with thumping wins over Livorno and Ascoli, while their Sicilian opponents are yet to open their account after the winter break.

Things are unlikely to get any better for the Elefanti in the short-term though, as their attack has been hit by suspension. Top scorer Gionatha Spinesi, who is just two goals shy of Serie A Capocannoniere Francesco Totti, will miss the club’s next three League games after picking up a ban for his actions at the end of the disappointing defeat to Cagliari, which including diving and abusing the referee.

Also out of action due to suspension is Giuseppe Colucci. Therefore the Catania attack is likely to feature Giuseppe Mascara alongside Giorgio Corona and Francesco Millesi. But there is some good news on the bans front, as both Lorenzo Stovini and Fabio Caserta are available for selection once more. Mauro Minelli and Mariano Izco are expected to be the men to miss out.

Atalanta boss Stefano Colantuono has few issues of his own to contend with, apart from how to keep his high-flying stars’ feet on the ground. Having exceeded all expectation this term – without summer signing Christian Vieri, no less – the next step will be to cement themselves in the final Champions League qualifying berth.

Aiding their cause against Catania will be returning duo Simone Loria and Claudio Rivalta, both of whom didn’t feature in the 3-1 win over Ascoli. Leonardo Talamonti and Moris Carrozzieri look set to be the men to make way at the heart of the Nerazzurri’s defence. They’ll be hoping to make a big impact, as only four clubs have a worst record at the back than Atalanta, who have conceded 31 goals in just 20 games.

Man on fire: Cristiano Doni (Atalanta) – Santa must have been kind to the veteran, as he has been in fine form since the winter break with three goals in two games.

Last season: In Serie B

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

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Atalanta (probable): Calderoni; Adriano, Loria, Rivalta, Bellini; Ferriera Pinto, Migliaccio, Donati, Ariatti; Doni; Zampagna

Catania (probable): Pantanelli; Silvestri, Sottil, Stovini, Vargas; Edusei, Caserta, Baiocco; Mascara, Corona, Millesi

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

Another good game this weekend. I think Atalanta are going to go for it with Spinesi out of the lineup. These points are huge if they want to close the gap and have come at a perfect time for Atalanta!

[D-Kin]

Atalanta: Calderoni, Rivalta, Bellini, Loria, Carrozzieri, Doni, Donati, Ariatti, Migliaccio, Soncin, Ferreira Pinto
Subs: Ivan, Adriano, Bernardini, Bombardini, Tissone, Ventola, Defendi

Catania: Pantanelli, Stovini, Sottil, Silvestri, Vargas, Baiocco, Colucci, Caserta, Izco, Rossini, Mascara
Subs: Spadavecchia, Cesar, Minelli, Lucenti, Millesi, Morimoto, Corona