Atalanta vs Bologna preview - Denis out for Atalanta

Atalanta must overcome the absence of the team's leading scorer German Denis when they go up against Bologna.

The Argentinian forward, who has scored 15 Serie A goals this campaign, has failed to recover from a muscular injury that saw him miss last weekend's goalless draw at Inter Milan.

To complicate matters for Atalanta, striker Guido Marilungo was ruled out this week for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

The 22-year-old will undergo surgery and will be sidelined for five months.

Atalanta coach Stefano Colantuono will be forced to field Manolo Gabbiadin alongside Simone Tiribocchi in attack.

Colantuono nevertheless expects his team to show the same determination against Bologna that earned them a valuable points at Inter.

That result moved the Bergamaschi to 12th place, two points adrift of Bologna, who are ninth.

"We need to give continuity to our performances," Colantuono said. "We played a good game at Inter and I expect another solid display against Bologna.

"We need to grind out more results in order to defend our Serie A status."

Atalanta have not lost in their last seven games but face a stern test against a Bologna side that is unbeaten on the road since December 18.

The Rossoblu are 10 points clear of the drop zone after last weekend's 2-2 draw against Chievo.

Stefano Pioli's side has lost just one of its last 12 league games and a win in Bergamo would see Bologna take a giant step towards Serie A safety.

"We are closer to our aim which is to avoid the drop," Bologna striker Alessandro Diamanti said. "But we have to continue to in this path and get as many points as possible in our next few games."

The visitors will be without midfielder Gaston Ramirez, who is struggling with an ankle injury.