Serie A Preview: Atalanta – Siena

By: Marco | August 30th, 2008

The Oribici have put their summer of discontent behind them and are looking forward to the start of the new campaign. The club, along with former player, Gian Paolo Bellini, was charged with allegedly fixing the last two matches of the season. Both Bellini and the club were cleared of all charges by the FIGC and the six point penalty that hovered over the Atalanta camp like a dark storm cloud never rained down.

After overachieving last year to finish in the top half of the table, Luigi Del Neri’s men would like to push their luck even further by qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Young midfield maestro Luca Cigarini was signed in the summer giving the midfield another dose of creativity along with captain, Cristiano Doni.

The club’s fortune will rest squarely on the shoulders of the volatile Doni who hopes to improve on his disciplinary record this season. The addition of Cigarini should open up space for the veteran attacker to work his magic and improve on the twelve goals he scored last year.

The Oribici stormed out of the starting gate last term which set the tone for the rest of the season and Del Neri will be looking for a repeat performance. Atalanta kick-off the new campaign against Siena and Del Neri will be expecting nothing less than three points in front of their rabid supporters.

New Manager, New Attitude

Siena were one of the surprise packages of the Serie A season after overcoming a slow start and finding their form in the second half of the season on route to a thirteenth place finish.

Much of the credit went to Mario Beretta whose smooth brand of attacking football won over many supporters. The team looked like they would be mired in a relegation dogfight until Andrea Mandorlini left the club and Beretta led the Bianconeri on a tear, including two famous victories over Fiorentina and Roma.

With Beretta leaving the club it will be up to new manager, Marco Giampaolo to make his impression on the team. The pre-season brought forth a mixed bag of results and Giampaolo will look to his veterans to lead the team in the first few weeks of the season.

Massimo Maccarone was one of the many bright spots for Siena last season and will be partnered in attack by new summer singing Emmanuele Calaio who came over from Napoli and the manager will look for the two of them to form a formidable partnership upfront.

The Bianconeri face a daunting task as they travel to the intimidating confines of the Stadio Azzurri d’Italia and Giampaolo will be happy a man if his team can take anything out of this match.

FORM GUIDE

Atalanta

August 20 vs Merate WON 6-1

August 13 vs Alzonocene WON 5-0

August 09 vs Mons WON 2-0

August 06 vs Pergocrema WON 3-1

August 03 vs Varese WON 3-0

Siena

August 16 vs Sampdoria LOST 1-0

August 13 vs Arezzo WON 2-1

August 11 vs Salernitana DREW 0-0

August 09 vs Ascoli LOST 3-1

August 02 vs Benevento DREW 0-0

TEAM NEWS

Atalanta

Del Neri’s men have finished the pre-season with an undefeated record and will hope his teams good form continues in the first few weeks of the new campaign. Del Neri will be without the services of Christian Vieri who is nursing an injury and Claudio Rivalta who is suspended to start the year.

Probable starting XI: Coppola – Garics, Manfredini, Bellini, Talamonti – Ferreira Pinto, Guarente, Cigarini, Doni – Valdes, Floccari

Siena

Giampaolo will hope that the beginning of his reign on the Siena hot-seat will produce a victory to kick-off the campaign. He will have to make due without Nicola Belmonte who is out injured for anywhere between four to six months and Fernando Forestieri who is also spending some time on the treatment table.

Probable starting XI: Curci – Portanova, Bertotto, Rossi, De Lazzari – Barusso, Codrea, Kharja, Vergassola – Calaio, Maccarone

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Luca Cigarini ( Atalanta )

The former U21 starlet was the club’s most important summer signing and has all the tools necessary to become one of Italy’s next great midfielders. He will make his debut for the Bergamo based outfit and will look up to open up his account in front of the home supporters.

Massimo Maccarone ( Siena )

The former Italian international hopes to repeat his heroics of a season ago when he was the Bianconeri’s leading goal scorer. His thirteen goals helped Siena achieve a surprising thirteen place finish when many pundits had them tipped as relegation fodder. He must run riot around the Atalanta back four if Siena has any chance of taking anything out of this match.

PREDICTION

Cigarini and Doni will be too much for the Siena defence to handle as they open the season with a slim but comfortable victory.

Atalanta 2-1 Siena