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Serie A Preview: Atalanta – Roma

The Oribici will welcome a revitalised Roma side to Bergamo on Sunday afternoon…

Nov 27, 2009 7:50:39 AM

Robert Acquafresca - Atalanta (Getty Images)

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Robert Acquafresca - Atalanta (Getty Images)

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Kick-off: Sunday, November 29, 15:00 CET Bergamo, Italy

Conte On The Hotseat?

Atalanta have struggled baldly in the first 13 rounds of the Serie A season and only hover over the relegation zone due to goal difference. The Bergamo based outfit have only picked up 12 points and have already fired one coach in the current campaign.

Antonio Conte was given the task of guiding the Oribici towards survival, after Angelo Gregucci was sacked, but the former Juventus midfielder could find himself out of work soon as well if the team’s results don’t improve.

Conte did not do himself any favours on Thursday as Atalanta crashed out of the Coppa Italia after a 1-0 loss to lowly Lumezzane.

Up next for the Nerazzurri are Roma, who have been experiencing a renaissance of sorts and now have their talismanic captain Francesco Totti back in the lineup. Conte is well aware of the threat that Totti poses and warned his side accordingly.

"To stop him I will use a cage and a padlock!" he joked.

"We must give continuity to our performances after the victory against Siena.”

The Bergamaschi faithful are losing their patience and demanded a meeting with Conte after the Lumezzane loss. The home side will need to put together their best performance of the season if they are to take the heat off of their embattled coach.

No Totti, No Party

After a sluggish start to the season which saw Luciano Spalletti make way for new coach Claudio Ranieri, the Lupi have started to take a bite out of their fellow competitors in Serie A.

Roma have looked like a rejuvenated side and are unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions. The Giallorossi lost their first three Serie A games of the season but are now within six points of the Champions League places.

Team captain Francesco Totti returned to the line-up last weekend and made a huge splash, netting a hat-trick en route to a 3-1 victory over Bari at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Giallorossi will now turn their attention to Atalanta, who are currently mired in a relegation dogfight. Roma will be favourites on paper but former Lupi striker Vincenzo Montella has warned his old team-mates to tread carefully.

"Atalanta are a good side and they have conviction. They play organised football,” he said.

“Antonio Conte will be able to motivate his players and I'm sure he will change it up there. He has instilled characteristics that can make the difference against Roma."

The Giallosrossi will look to secure all three points in Bergamo with the city derby against Lazio looming next on the domestic fixture list. Roma need to win matches like these against relegation fodder, if they want to continue their climb up the Serie A table.

TEAM FORM

Atalanta

November 26 v Lumezzane (H) LOST 1-0 (Coppa Italia)

November 22 v Siena (A) WON 2-0 (Serie A)

November 07 v Juventus (H) LOST 5-2 (Serie A)

November 01 v Cagliari (A) LOST 3-0 (Serie A)

October 28 v Livorno (A) LOST 1-0 (Serie A)

Roma

November 22 v Bari (H) WON 3-1 (Serie A)

November 8 v Inter (A) DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

November 5 v Fulham (H) WON 2-1 (Europa League)

November 1 v Bologna (H) WON 2-1 (Serie A)

October 28 v Udinese (A) LOST 2-1 (Serie A)

TEAM NEWS

Atalanta

Conte will be without the services of Valdes, Thomas Manfredini and Edgar Barreto, who are injured, while Federico Peluso is suspended.

Possible starting XI: Consigli – Garics, Bianco, Talamonti, Bellini – Ceravolo, Guarente, De Ascentis, Padoin – Doni, Acquafresca

Roma

Daniele De Rossi returned to training on Wednesday but will need to pass a late fitness test to feature on Sunday afternoon, while Juan should take his usual place in central defence after a brief injury lay off.

Possible starting XI: Julio Sergio – Burdisso, Mexes, Juan, Riise – Pizarro, Brighi – Perrotta, Vucinic, Menez - Totti

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cristiano Doni (Atalanta)

The emotional Bergamaschi veteran has been disappointing this season, to say the least. He has failed to find the back of the net in this campaign and has often looked disinterested on the pitch. Atalanta need him to lead by example and turn back the years if they are to avoid relegation this season.

Francesco Totti (Roma)

‘Er Pupone’ is the engine in which Roma runs on. He has been absolutely sensational when he’s been healthy this season. He has nine goals in only eight matches in the Serie A so far this term and should be able to add to that tally against a porous Atalanta defence on Sunday.

PREDICTION

Roma’s renaissance continues as Totti’s bags a brace in a routine victory over the reeling Bergamaschi.

Atalanta 1-3 Roma

Max De Luca, Goal.com

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