ATALANTA BERGAMASCA CALCIO

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 15 - 10/12/06 (14.00 UK)
Atalanta - Messina

Stadio Azzurri d'Italia

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Atalanta host Messina this weekend at the Azzurri d’Italia. A win could take the home side as high as fifth place, while their Sicilian guests will want to do all they can to keep clear of the dangerous end of the table. Unfortunately for them it seems to be getting nearer and nearer.

A 2-1 defeat to Roma was Atalanta’s last result, and it took two Francesco Totti penalties to finally beat the Nerazzuri. They led for over half an hour, but in the end they paid for defensive mistakes and Riccardo Zampagna’s strike became nothing but a consolation goal for them.

Atalanta Coach Stefano Colantuono looks like making only one change to his line-up for this match, and even that one is not out of choice. Massimo Donati will have to watch from the stands, as he was sent off right at the end of the clash in Rome. Antonio Bernardini will probably be the one to replace him.

Leading the line will be Cristiano Doni, behind Zampagna who seems to have cemented his place in the starting 11 with his fourth goal of the season. The defence will most likely remain untouched, showing that the Coach saw some good in the back four’s performance at the Stadio Olimpico.

Messina will be looking for their first point in over a month this weekend. Over the past four weeks they have faced both Milan sides and the in-form Lazio, so it is no surprise that they have dropped to 14th in the League. Despite having Serie A leading scorer Christian Rigano’ on their books the Islanders were beaten by Sampdoria, although the 2-0 score-line does not paint an accurate picture of what was a close game. To make matters worse, Rigano is now out injured until 2007.

Messina Coach Bruno Giordano looks like making quite a few changes to his side, some forced and others not. Angelo Rea and Salvatore Masiello are likely to come into central defence in place of the suspended Marco Zanchi and Mark Iuliano. Carmine Coppola may come into midfield, the other suspended man, Daniele De Vesse should be making way for Salvatore Sulllo with Sergio Floccari and Arturo Di Napoli in attack – if he shakes off his own fitness issues.

Man on fire: Marco Storari (Messina) – A fine goalkeeper who has been kept busy over the last month. If he can keep a clean sheet, Messina may just steal the points.

Last season: Not played

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

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Atalanta (probable): Calderoni; Rivalta, Loria, Carrozzieri, Bellini; Ferreira, Pinto, Bernardini, Migliaccio, Ariatti, Doni; Zampagna

Messina (probable): Storari; Zoro, Rea, Masiello, Parisi; Alvarez, Coppola, Cordova, Sullo; Floccari, Di Napoli

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...7/ata-mes.html

[D-Kin]

Atalanta squad:

Abeijon
Adriano
Ariatti
Bellini
Bernardini
Bombardini
Calderoni
Carrozzieri
Defendi
Doni
Ferriera Pinto
Migliaccio
Ivan
Loria
Rivalta
Soncin
Talamonti
Tissone
Ventola
Zampagna

[D-Kin]

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

Messina: Storari, Parisi, Zoro, Morello, Alvarez, Lavecchia, Coppola, Sullo, Cordova, Masiello, Floccari
Subs: Caglioni, Rea, Minetti, Ogasawara, Iliev, Di Napoli, Provenzano

[D-Kin]

Atalanta 1-0 Messina

29' Bombardini

[D-Kin]

That's Bombardini's first goal of the season.

[D-Kin]

HT 1-0 to Atalanta.

[D-Kin]

Atalanta 2-0 Messina

57' Ferreira Pinto

[D-Kin]

And that's his first goal of the season as well.

[D-Kin]

Atalanta 3-0 Messina

67' Doni

[D-Kin]

Atalanta 3-1 Messina

77' Cordova

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Atalanta 3-2 Messina

85' Di Napoli

[D-Kin]

He only came on as a sub as well.

[D-Kin]

FT 3-2 to Atalanta.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 17 - 20/12/06 (19.30 UK)
Atalanta - Udinese

Stadio Azzurri d'Italia

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Atalanta and Udinese meet at the Stadio Azzurri d’Italia with both knowing that a win could be the start of a serious Champions League assault with fourth spot just two points adrift for the Nerazzurri, three for the Udine outfit.

While some pundits would have expected the Bianconeri to be up there, Atalanta’s form following their promotion has been rather unexpected. Yet they have surprised many and Stefano Colantuono’s side are still in sixth spot despite stalling of late having collected just one win in their last five.

Sunday’s outing saw them grab a 1-1 draw at Siena when a late Mario Frick strike ended their hopes of a win in Tuscany. But they do arguably have the players to collect a victory on Wednesday night with Cristiano Doni still pulling the strings after his return to the club in the summer.

Atalanta’s home record this term also suggests that they may start the tie as favourites, especially when you consider their opponents’ record on the road. While Atalanta have netted four wins, three draws and a loss in Bergamo, Udinese have picked up just five points from a possible 24!

However, Udinese did impress at the weekend when they beat Cagliari 3-1 despite the disgraceful sending-off of the reckless Sulley Ali Muntari. But it wasn’t all smiles after the final whistle when Udine chief Gianpaolo Pozzo attacked the tactics of boss Giovanni Galeone. Could his job now be on the line?

Atalanta will be without the injured Luis Centi and Christian Vieri. Riccardo Zampagna is set to start even if boss Colantuono may opt to give Nicola Ventola the starting shirt instead. Udinese will be without the suspended Muntari, with Jose Montiel and Gyan Asamoah also doubts. Damiano Zenoni and Cesare Natali are set to start at the back against their former club. Dias Felipe faces a late fitness test.

Man on fire: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese) – The former Empoli starlet is enjoying his best season in Serie A. He was the star man against Cagliari and his pace could cause the Atalanta rearguard some notable problems.

Last season: Not played

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


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

Udinese (probable): De Sanctis; Zenoni, Natali, Zapata, Felipe; Obodo, De Martino, Pinzi; Barreto, Iaquinta, Di Natale

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...7/ata-udi.html

[D-Kin]

FT 2-1 to Udinese.

De Martino and Di Natale with the goals for Udinese, Tissone for Atalanta.