Atalanta and Chievo shared the spoils after their 1-1 draw at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia in Serie A action on Sunday afternoon.
Davide Zappacosta rifled home from the edge of the box following a corner before Dejan Lazarevic equalized for the Flying Donkeys through a beautiful freekick after Gianpaolo Bellini was sent off for his second bookable offence.
Agree with our ratings? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Atalanta
Marco Sportiello– 6 – Shaky
Never appeared comfortable when handling the ball but the inexperienced young goalkeeper coped reasonably well with what Chievo threw at his goal.
Gianpaolo Bellini– 5– Undisciplined
Booked for a tackle on Lazarevic and was sent off carelessly on 88 minutes after apparently falling on Pellissier with the Chievo captain through on goal.
Guglielmo Stendardo– 6 – Solid
Looked shaky under pressure from Chievo set piece. Remained firm until late on and was not at fault in the build up to the equalizer.
Guiseppe Biava– 6– Strong
Booked late on for a foul on Paloschi and out muscled the former Milan player for much of the game. Looked comfortable in the heart of defence.
Boukary Drame– 6 – Average
The left back distributed the ball well but had an ambitious shot from range which sailed well wide. Booked following several silly fouls. Replaced midway through the second half.
Davide Zappacosta– 7 – Contrasting
Put Atalanta ahead through a superb shot from outside the box following a corner which curled into the bottom corner and made several darting runs forward after the break.
Daniele Baselli– 5.5– Learning
The youngster had a poor shot high and wide following a corner with a similar result from a snap shot second half. Showed ability going forward and passing but was replaced by Cigarini on 64 minutes.
Carlos Carmona– 6 – Enforcer
Typical hard tackling display in the centre of midfield, fouled Birsa in first half and was the catalyst for many of the Dea attacks, playing the ball forward to the side’s creative forwards.
Maximiliano Moralez – 7 – Determined
The most lively player during the first period but 27-year-old’s decision making in crossing opportunities left a lot to be desired at times. Pacey on the break and his first touch and distribution remained of a high standard throughout.
German Denis– 5.5 – Isolated
Typical strong presence up front from the veteran. Chances were reduced as the game progressed and had to drop deeper to gather the ball.
Mauricio Pinilla– 5.5 – Wasteful
The recent signing had limited opportunities within the first half. Had an effort blocked when he should have finished past Bizzarri. Replaced by Bianchi midway through the first half.
Substitutes
Luca Cigarini – 6 – Interesting
Had an effort saved superbly late on and should have come one earlier to influence play.
Rolando Bianchi – 5.5 – Average
Was unable to influence play after coming on.
Cristiano Del Grosso – N/A
Entered in the 84th minute.
Chievo
Albano Bizzarri– 6.5 – Reliable
Largely untested early in the match thanks to the work of the defenders in front of him. Gathered crosses with ease and comfortably saved a Moralez effort, but could do nothing to prevent Zappacosta’s goal. Saved a Cigarini effort late on.
Nicolas Frey – 6.5– Live wire
Got forward with limited success but did well to block a shot from Pinilla on the break that looked a certain goal if the shot found the target. Crossed the ball well but the efforts were dealt with easily by the Atalanta defence.
Bostjan Cesar– 6 – Adept
Should probably have closed down Zappacosta better for the opener but overall prevented Atalanta’s creative forces from having much success.
Ervin Zukanovic– 6 – Sturdy
A robust performance in defence alongside his defensive partners. Did well under pressure and his last ditch tackling late in the first half prevented Denis getting a shot away from within the box.
Dario Dainelli– 5.5– Invisible
Not as comfortable as his defensive partners in the game and was replaced as Chievo looked for an equaliser, although he passed into midfield well and showed his experience to clear any danger.
Issac Cofie– 6 – Improving
Tracked back to prevent Atalanta exploiting the right flank. Decent passing and distribution in midfield allowed the Flying Donkeys to exploit the flanks in the second half following a poor first period.
Mariano Izco– 6 – Creative
Passed accurately in midfield but struggled to link up with the forwards. Improved after the break and had a more involved role in the second half as he headed just wide of the far post following a corner which would have put Chievo ahead.
Ezequiel Schelotto– 5.5– Injured
Had limited opportunities to express his talents for the majority of the first period but did provide a couple of crosses into the penalty area which were easily dealt with. Substituted following an injury sustained late in the first half.
Riccardo Meggiorini– 6– Exciting
Absent in the first half apart from a few moments where he crossed to try and find Paloschi. Looked more involved in the second half and had a few silky runs where he challenged the Nerazzurri full backs.
Valter Birsa– 5.5 – Normal
Hard tackling display from the Slovenian. Had a shot from distance deflected wide and was replaced as the 28-year-old had little influence on the match.
Alberto Paloschi– 5.5 – Vacant
Appeared isolated for much of the first half as the Chievo front line struggled to get into the match in the first period. Had a headed effort which was easily gathered by Sportiello and looked equally out muscled in the second half.
Substitutes
Alessandro Gamberini– 6 – Unspectacular
Unspectacular second half display after replacing the injured Schelotto.
Sergio Pellissier 6 – Veteran
Was fouled, with the resulting free kick resulting in his side’s equalizer.
Dejan Lazarevic – 7 – Creative
Darting run ended robustly by Bellini and scored a late equalizer from a free kick which sailed straight into the top corner.
