On Saturday in Bergamo two of Italy’s top teams will meet in a vital Series A showdown as Atalanta hosts Fiorentina at the Stadio Azzurri D’Italia. Fiorentina is currently fourth with 37 points, while Atalanta sits seventh with 29 points. Both clubs have had their share of struggles this season, but Fiorentina is coming off two losses in a row and a particularly dispiriting 1-0 loss to fellow Champions League contenders Milan. Both clubs would obviously like the three points, but a win by the Viola would be particularly sweet as it would secure 4th place in Series A for another week and begin to rebuild the momentum the team had after the New Year.
Recent Form (all Competitions)
Fiorentina: W-L-W-L-L
Atalanta: L-L-W-D-W
Starting Line-ups (also known as the Blind Guess Department)
Fiorentina: Frey- Gamberini, Kroldrup, Pasqual, Ujfalusi- Jorgenson, Montolivo, Donadel- Santana, Mutu, Pazzini
Atalanta: Coppola- Rivalta, Carrozzieri, Pellegrino, Capelli- Pinto, De Ascentis, Langella, Padoin- Floccari, Paolucci
Who’s not playing?
Cristiano Doni looks to be out for Atalanta. Thankfully. Franco Semioli and Fabio Liverani are apparently still hurt and will miss the action on the purple side.
Analysis
It’s hard to say that almost every game in for Fiorentina is a must-win, but that’s what it feels like. All Viola fans want that 4th Champions spot badly, but Udinese and Milan are playing well (the latter in spite of their many injuries) and will put pressure on Fiorentina on a week-to-week basis. Atlanta has a nice team, but they are beatable, and three points would be much welcomed here. Fiorentina’s form has been solid since the New Year (in spite of the recent losses) but Atlanta has won two in a row. Looks like we’ll have a close one on our hands.
Prediction
I’m gonna say 1-0 Fiorentina, because I’ve liked the club's form of late, I think Atalanta is not the same team without Doni, and because I always think my favorite team is going to win. That makes me a pretty good fan, but a lousy predictor of games.
I’ll be back tomorrow with the re-cap.