Atalanta vs Catania preview - Capuano urges Catania to grasp European dream

Catania defender Ciro Capuano insists the Sicilians will have no-one to blame but themselves if they let the chance to qualify for Europe pass them by.

The Elefanti, who have never finished higher than 11th in Serie A, raced into seventh place on the back of five wins from seven games.

A 2-0 defeat at Napoli, however, caused an outbreak of self-doubt among Rolando Maran's men, who face another tricky away day at mid-table Atalanta on Sunday.

Capuano told La Repubblica: "It's up to us if we want to keep hold of our current league position with a result against Atalanta.

"It all depends on how we approach the game and what we do out on the pitch.

"It will be a tough match against a physical side on a difficult playing surface that's been made worse with the recent bad weather. We must be prepared for all of these factors.

"Actions speak for themselves and I'm part of a very strong squad, I've played a part in writing the history of Catania and that's what matters.

"Those who come after me will have to write more interesting pages than the ones I've written with my team-mates."

Midfielder Fabio Sciacca is Maran's only real injury concern ahead of a trip to Bergamo, with the Catania boss running the rule over defender Nicola Legrottaglie and midfielder Marco Biagianti.

A run of six games without a victory, in which Atalanta lost four times, came to an end at Palermo last week.

A 2-1 victory cost Rosanero boss Gian Piero Gasperini his job and Atalanta head coach Stefano Colantuono knows how that feels having been sacked by Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini twice.

The Nerazzurri are struggling for numbers with Luca Cigarini, Gian Bellini, James Troisi, Guido Marilungo, Stefano Lucchini and Michele Ferri all sidelined through injury.

Atalanta have not beaten Catania since February 2009, with the points being shared in the two last encounters at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia.