Atalanta host Parma at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on Sunday afternoon, as both sides look to kick start their respective seasons after struggling through the opening six rounds of the new Serie A campaign.
Only one point and one place in the standings separates these two teams, who sit 17th and 18th, respectably, and both will be hoping for the three points come full time on Sunday in order to climb away from the relegation zone.
Recent meetings between these two would make Parma favourites for this game with the Crociati thrashing Atalanta 4-0 the last time they met in Bergamo back in Feburary. Indeed, Parma also put four past La Dea when earlier that season at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, although on that occasion Atalanta where able to reply with three goals of their own.
However, Roberto Donadoni’s side look a far cry from the team which finished sixth last term. Denied European football and shorn of several key performers, Parma have begun the new season with a distinct lack of confidence. The situation has not be helped by having the worst defence in Serie A, conceding 16 goals in six games while losing five of those games, with a solitary victory coming against Chievo in Week Three.
Atalanta would appear to have the opposite problem. Fairly solid defensively, their struggles are at the other end of the pitch. Only two goals in in the six fixtures played so far make them the lowest scoring side in the division and both those strikes came in the same match against Cagliari in the second week of the season.
Stefano Colantuono’s main absentee is La Dea winger Marcelo Estigarribia, the scorer of one of those two goals. The Paraguayan’s season is effectively over after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee whilst on international duty. With no suspensions, the only other player missing from Sunday’s squad will be Valerio Rosseti who has a minor niggle.
Donadoni’s injury worries are far more comprehensive. Jonathan Biabiany and Gabriel Paletta, both key players from last seasons success, are set to miss this encounter with the former a long term injury concern having been diagnosed with a heart problem. Mattia Cassani and Soufiane Bidaoui are also unfit to face Atalanta.
Expected Starting XIs
Atalanta (4-3-3): Sportiello; Zappacosta, Biava, Benalouane, Dramé; Carmona, Cigarini, Baselli; D’Alessandro, Denis, Moralez.
Parma (3-5-2): Mirante; Mendes, Felipe, Lucarelli; Ristovski, Mauri, Jorquera, Acquah, De Ceglie; Coda, Cassano
