Colantuono pledges Atalanta future

Atalanta fans have received good news ahead of Sunday's game against Chievo with coach Stefano Colantuono confirming he will remain in charge of the Bergamaschi next season.

Colantuono, who guided Atalanta to promotion to Serie A last summer, had been linked with a move away from Bergamo at the end of the season.

However, he said: "I recently signed a contract extension with Atalanta because I believe that this team can fight for bigger aims than just avoiding the drop.

"Bergamo is the ideal place to work.

"I'm really happy here and hence, I will continue with this adventure."

Atalanta were docked six points earlier this season due to their involvement in a match-fixing scandal.

However, it has not hindered the Bergamaschi too much, with the team having lost just eight of their 32 games so far.

The Bergamaschi head into Sunday's encounter with confidence sky-high after winning 3-1 at Napoli on Wednesday, a result that lifted them to 10th place.

"This win is certainly a huge step forward in our battle to avoid the drop," Colantuono said. "We are extremely happy to have beaten a great side like Napoli.

"Now I hope we can produce a similar performance on Sunday."

Opponents Chievo are one place and two points clear of Atalanta.

The men from Verona lost 1-0 to AC Milan on Wednesday to see their four-match unbeaten run come to an end.

"It was a great performance but unfortunately, people will only remember that Milan won and we lost," Chievo coach Domenico Di Carlo said. "We have to put this defeat behind us and concentrate on our next game, which will be a tricky one.

"However, if we play as we did against Milan, we can bring home three points from Bergamo."

Atalanta will be without German Denis, their top scorer this season with 15 league goals, as he must serve a one-match ban.

Chievo must overcome the absence of defender Gennaro Sardo and striker Sergio Pellissier, both suspended.