Serie A action resumes this weekend after the international break with Scudetto hopefuls Roma travelling to Bergamo to face an Atalanta side looking for the spark to lead them away from the bottom of the table.
However, with just four goals since the start of the season the Nerazzurri face a difficult challenge against the Giallorossi with their tight-fisted defence forming the basis for much of their success since Rudi Garcia’s arrival.
Saturday evening is the 105th league meeting between the pair, with Roma clearly superior winning 50 times compared to Atalanta’s 22, but fixtures are much tighter affairs at the Atleti Azzurri d’Italia with 18 of those victories coming there.
Last season, with the Romans still unbeaten, the Orobici nearly inflicted a first defeat when they met only for a last minute equaliser from Kevin Strootman to rescue a point, with Davide Brivio’s goal appearing to have sealed victory and coach Stefano Colantuono would clearly love to go one better this term.
Colantuono would probably welcome another point on Saturday given their current difficulties and expects a more one-sided match as witnessed in their April meeting in Rome, when goals from Rodrigo Taddei, Adem Ljajic and Gervinho secured a comfortable 3-1 victory.
Atalanta fans will cling to home advantage as a ray of hope, but the realists among them know containing the capital club’s attacking surges will be just as difficult as trying to rediscover their own attacking instinct, though consecutive clean sheets against Torino and Sassuolo increases belief.
However, notable defeats away to Napoli and Juventus, and being held to a goalless draw by Sampdoria, the Giallorossi have largely brushed aside opponents and last time out crushed Torino 3-0.
Roma captain Francesco Totti will not be able to contribute to that potent attack in Bergamo with him missing out through suspension, as is Luca Cigarini for the hosts, and the Giallorossi are unlikely to risk Gervinho after he featured for the Ivory Coast against Cameroon on Wednesday.
Marcelo Estigarribia is a long-term absentee for the Nerazzurri and youngster Valerio Rosseti is still a couple of weeks away from fitness, although Atalanta could be helped by Roma missing a number of defenders.
Federico Balzaretti has been out for over a year and centre-back Leandro Castan remains on the side lines as he is to have brain surgery, and to add to Garcia’s concerns Maicon, and the so far impressive Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, will be evaluated ahead of the game but certainly not start.
Expected Starting XIs
Atalanta: Sportiello; Zappacosta, Biava, Benalouane, Drame; Raimondi, Baselli, Migliaccio, D’Alessandro; Moralez; Denis
Roma: De Sanctis; Torosidis, Manolas, Astori, Cole; De Rossi, Nainggolan, Pjanic; Ljajic, Destro, Iturbe
