Salami – Atalanta

By: Marco | December 12th, 2008

Two sides that are further up in the table than most would have predicted this season face-off at the Marassi on Sunday afternoon…

Gutsy Genoa Giving It Their All

Coach Gian Piero Gasperini must be incredibly pleased with what he has seen from his side this season. The Grifoni were 1-0 winners in the Genovese derby last weekend over Sampdoria and have one of the best home records in the league, allowing them to scale up to sixth place in the standings.

In fact, Genoa have even improved their away record. They simply could not play well on the road at the beginning of the campaign, losing their first three away fixtures, but since then have only lost one of five on their travels and that was to mighty Juventus. Thus, Genoa are fully deserving of their position in the standings at this stage of the term.

Atalanta are also climbing the table, so Genoa will need to put in another of their competent home performances and seize the day. The likes of Diego Milito and Thiago Motta have settled in very well since their arrivals and former Juventus players Domenico Criscito and Raffaele Palladino are showing signs that they are maturing as footballers.

The Genoa tifosi will be confident of collecting all three points because while Gasperini’s men have been brilliant at home, Atalanta have been rather poor away from the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia this season.

Atalanta Dreadful Away From Home

Atalanta also have managed to surpass expectations so far this season, as they sit in eighth place in the Serie A standings. However, while the Orobici have played some fantastic football at home, they have not been able to put their stamp on matches while travelling.

They have collected just four points away from home this campaign and Luigi Delneri knows that this must improve if his side are to remain where they are in the standings.

Atalanta have all the pieces necessary to achieve a similar finish to last season. Captain Cristiano Doni shows no signs of slowing down at 35 years of age, as he continues to direct the offense. Meanwhile, Sergio Floccari has picked up where he left off last season and perhaps even added a little more to his game as he contributes with goals and assists.

The Bergamo-based squad have several other talented players in their ranks as well like Gyorgy Garics, Ferreira Pinto, Jaime Valdes, and the currently injured Luca Cigarini. Another plus is that Serie A journey-man Christian Vieri scored his first goal for the club this season last weekend and if he can keep fit, he should be able to add a few more.

However, Atalanta have a fairly difficult task taking on Genoa at the Marassi, as they have only dropped two points there all season.

FORM GUIDE

Genoa

07/12 (Serie A): Sampdoria 0-1 Genoa

30/11 (Serie A): Genoa 1-1 Bologna

23/11 (Serie A): Lazio 1-1 Genoa

13/11 (Serie A): Juventus 4-1 Genoa

09/11 (Serie A): Genoa 4-0 Reggina

Atalanta

07/12 (Serie A): Atalanta 3-0 Udinese

30/11 (Serie A): Atalanta 2-0 Lazio

23/11 (Serie A): Reggina 3-1 Atalanta

13/11 (Serie A): Atalanta 3-1 Napoli

09/11 (Serie A): Fiorentina 2-1 Atalanta

TEAM NEWS

Genoa

Gian Piero Gasperini will have to do without consistent defender Giuseppe Biava due to suspension. Otherwise, injuries will rule out a trio of midfielders: Giandomenico Mesto, Matteo Paro, and Marcel Roman.

Probable Starting XI (3-4-3): Rubinho – Bochetti, Ferrari, Criscito – Rossi, Milanetto, Motta, Juric – Sculli, Milito, Palladino

Atalanta

The influential Luca Cigarini is still out with his long term injury, but at the latest should return in the new year. Meanwhile, Alessio Cerci and Antonio D’Agostino are also in the treatment room. Boss Luigi Delneri has no suspensions to worry about. Despite scoring last week against Udinese, veteran striker Christian Vieri is likely to be on the bench once again.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-1-1): Coppola – Bellini, Talamonti, Garics, Manfredini – Ferreira Pinto, Valdes, Guarente, Padoin – Doni – Floccari

PLAYERS TO WATCH

With the form he is in Diego Milito could be playing for one of Europe’s elite sides. The 29-year-old has been finding the net regularly as Serie A top-scorer so far this season and always makes a difference for his side in attack.

On the opposite side, Atalanta have Sergio Floccari, who has led the Atalanta offense with plenty of success this season. Not only can he score goals, but he can set them up as well, like in the game last week against Udinese where he made two assists.

PREDICTION

Genoa have been in great for so far this season and so has Atalanta. They will probably cancel each other out.

Genoa 2-2 Atalanta