Atalanta vs Parma preview - Giovinco in upbeat mood

Posted Sunday, March 11, 2012 by PA

Parma striker Sebastian Giovinco is fired up for Sunday's match at Atalanta with his team looking to climb up in the Serie A table.

Giovinco goes into this weekend's encounter in Bergamo in upbeat mood after he earned and converted a late penalty to hand his side a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina on Wednesday.

"It was an important point considering how the game turned out," Giovinco said. "I'm happy to help the team and to score although I wish my goals could always hand Parma three points.

"We are nevertheless playing better in recent weeks even if we are not being fully rewarded for our performances.

"I think we can do well in Bergamo provided we keep our focus from start to finish."

Giovinco, who has scored 10 goals in 24 league appearances for the Ducale club this season, will lead Parma's attack at the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia stadium.

Parma have not won since February 5 and lie 16th in the standings, four points clear of the drop zone.

Rivals Atalanta are riding a five-match unbeaten run, five places and two points clear of their opponents.

Stefano Colantuono's men have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five league games.

Fortunately for Parma, Colantuono will be forced to make changes to the side that held high-flyers Udinese to a goalless result at the Friuli stadium last time out.

Strikers Guido Marilungo and Simone Tiribocchi are both unavailable, with the former suspended and the latter out injured.

Moreover, defenders Daniele Capelli, Stefano Lucchini and Gugliermo Stendardo are all injured.