Parma vs Atalanta preview - Giovinco: I'm not a one-man band

Parma striker Sebastian Giovinco has rejected the notion that the Ducale club is dependent on him ahead of Sunday's game against Atalanta.

Giovinco has scored five goals to help Parma remain in the top half of the standings after six games, prompting some to suggest they are a one-man team.

"One cannot say that Parma is Giovinco dependent," he said to Corriere dello Sport.

"If I'm doing well is also the merit of all my team-mates that are helping me."

Parma have picked up maximum points in their last two games after claiming just one win in their opening four matches.

Last weekend's impressive 2-1 triumph at Napoli lifted Franco Colomba's side to ninth in the standings.

"We are doing well but we must remain focused," Giovinco added.

"We must give continuity to our results.

"Atalanta is not an easy rival and we cannot take them lightly."

Atalanta have lost just once this season but are 15th in the standings after being hit with a six-point penalty this summer for a betting scandal.

Atalanta defender Stefano Lucchini will be hoping his side can show the same defensive focus at Parma that saw them keep their first clean sheet of the season in their goalless result against Udinese last weekend.

"We need to make them feel uncomfortable," he said. "We cannot allow them to control the game.

"We cannot afford to give Giovinco and (Sergio) Floccari any spaces, otherwise we will fail."

Atalanta will have to overcome the absence of veteran defender Thomas Manfredini.

Manfredini sustained a thigh injury in last weekend's goalless result against Udinese and has been ruled out for a month.

Daniele Padelli will take his place in defence.