Atalanta vs Fiorentina

Week 22 gets underway in Italy’s Serie A with Atalanta playing host to Fiorentina. The bergamaschi are coming into this contest off of a big win away from home last week while Fiorentina suffered a demoralizing defeat at home to AC Milan.

Atalanta are currently in 7^th place of Serie A with 29 points on the campaign. They are 4 points back of 6^th place Udinese and 1 ahead of Sampdoria. With their victory away to Parma by a score of 2-3 at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, Gigi Del Neri’s side were able to extend their unbeaten run to 3 consecutive matches. Del Neri has some problems coming into this contest as in addition to the injured Talamonti, he will be dealing with 3 suspended players with Doni headlining that list. Doni is the heart and soul of the side and currently leads the club with 8 goals. Costinha was also a late scratch from the squad list. Atalanta should go with their standard 4-4-2 with Paolucci coming on for Doni.

Fiorentina received a loud wake up call last week as they had their 4 match win streak snapped by AC Milan by a score of 0-1 at the Artemio Franchi. The result leaves Cesare Prandelli’s side in 4^th place of Serie A with 37 points and they are 4 points back of Juventus and 4 ahead of 5^th place AC Milan. The result was a big blow to club morale as they had approached it as a big test and they were unable to come through. Fiorentina did appear to have the equalizer in stoppage time only to have Kalac make an extraordinary save and that just added to their overall misery on the day. Much like Atalanta, the viola will have a huge absence of their own as Adrian Mutu, the club leader with 13 goals, is out injured after picking up a knock in a friendly match for Romania. Semioli looks set to get the start.

Morale will have a lot to do with this contest. Atalanta are on a high note following their big win away to Parma though that is tempered a bit by the loss of Doni. Meanwhile, Fiorentina not only lost at home but now they have lost their most dangerous striker. It will be an uphill battle for the visitors.

Predicition: Atalanta (2-1)