Serie A Preview: Reggina - Atalanta

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Reggina Still Fighting  

Nevio Orlandi’s men shocked the Lega Calcio with an upset victory over Udinese last weekend. To make matters more surprising, the Amaranto managed to gain the victory away from home where they usually struggle quite badly. 

Orlandi commented that the team were playing much better despite three consecutive losses to Napoli, Inter Milan and Genoa before the trip up north last weekend. The Amaranto were extremely unlucky not have picked up a point against three time defending champions Inter Milan while a red card in the 45th minute derailed any possibility of obtaining a decent result in Genoa.  

Last Sunday, we finally saw what Orlandi was talking about as his team frustrated the home sides by tightening up the back line and playing on the counterattack. Franco Brienza then showed his class with a wonderful volley that beat Handanovic to complete the upset victory.  

Despite the win, Reggina are still mired in the relegation dogfight as they sit second from the bottom three points from safe ground. Orlandi however is in high spirits and expects a good performance this coming weekend.  

"On Sunday we must do all we can to beat an Atalanta side who defeated Napoli," he stressed. "In the next four games, we shall play three at home and we will try to take advantage of this.  

“The ideal scenario would be to end the first rounds at 17 points. The important thing is that we found the right balance in all the technical components."  

Atalanta pay a visit to Reggio Calabria on Sunday afternoon and the Amaranto will need an optimum performance to take all three points as they continue to try and fight their way out of the drop zone.  

Atalanta Back On Track  

Luigi Del Neri’s men finally snapped an ugly five match winless streak that hung over the team like a dark rain cloud, with a superb victory over Napoli last weekend. Three goals in the last thirty minutes sealed the deal for the home side. 

It was a much needed victory that put the club back in the top half of the Serie A table. Atalanta also snapped a two game winless streak at the Atleti Azzuri D’Italia where they are usually unbeatable.  

Del Neri was extremely pleased with the performance against Napoli but was less than impressed with the referee and had plenty to say about him after the match.  

“When a player tackles the ball it is not a penalty,” he said. “If Lavezzi fell, then this is another story. Then there was also a penalty that was not given to us concerning Valdez. If it was given to Napoli, then they could have given it to us too.” 

Del Neri will be looking for some consistency as his side try to string some victories to climb up the table and into a UEFA Cup qualification spot. First things first, however. The coach will need to focus on the upcoming match against Reggina.  

Atalanta will make the trip down south to face the Calabrese outfit who are a tough nut to crack in front of their home supporters. It will be a tricky test for Atalanta on Sunday as it will be matches like these that will determine if they end up plying their trade in Europe next season.  

FORM GUIDE  

Reggina  

November 16 vs Udinese (A) WON 1-0  

November 09 vs Genoa (A) LOST 4-0  

November 01 vs Inter Milan (H) LOST 3-2  

October 29 vs Napoli (A) LOST 3-0  

October 26 vs Lecce (H) WON 2-0  

Atalanta 

November 16 vs Napoli (H) WON 3-1  

November 09 vs Fiorentina (A) LOST 2-1 

November 02 vs Lecce (H) DREW 0-0  

October 29 vs Torino (A) LOST 2-1  

October 26 vs AC Milan (H) LOST 1-0  

TEAM NEWS  

Reggina  

Orlandi will be without the services of Antonio Giosa, Maurizio Lanzaro and Emmanuel Cascione. There are no suspensions to speak of currently.  

Probable Starting XI: Campagnolo - Cirillo, Costa, Santos, Valdez - Barreto, Carmona, Cozza, Vigiani - Brienza, Corradi  

Atalanta 

It must pain Del Neri to look at his team’s injury list as Luca Cigarini, Antonio D’Agostino, Alessio Manzoni and Karamoko Cisse are out of action.  

Probable starting XI: Coppola - Bellini, Capelli, Garics, Manfredini - De Ascentis, Ferreira Pinto, Guarante, Padoin, Doni - Floccari  

PLAYERS TO WATCH  

Franco Brienza (Reggina)  

He was one of the heroes that helped Reggina regain the top flight status last year and may have to take up that role once again. The pint sized playmaker led the Amaranto to a shock victory in Udine last weekend with an extremely well taken goal that earned his side all three points. He will need to muster up another magnificent performance against Atalanta if the home side hope to put together their first two match winning streak of the season.  

Sergio Floccari (Atalanta)  

The Calabrese born forward found the back of the net last weekend in Atalanta’s victory over Napoli. Floccari has been is sizzling form so far this season as he leads the team in scoring with six goals in twelve matches. He will need to add to his tally if Atalanta are to take anything out of the match on Sunday afternoon.  

PREDICTION  

The Amaranto make it two wins on the trot as Brienza and Cozza lead them to a hard fought victory at the Oreste Granillo.

Reggina 2-1 Atalanta 

Max De Luca