Atalanta vs Fiorentina preview - Cazzola expecting tough test

Atalanta midfielder Riccardo Cazzola expects a tough test against Fiorentina on Sunday despite the Viola missing several key players.

Fiorentina travel to Bergamo's Atleti Azzurri d'Italia stadium without top summer signing Mario Gomez and pivotal winger Juan Cuadrado.

Both players got hurt in last weekend's 1-1 draw against Cagliari and will be sidelined for two months.

Gomez sustained a knee injury while Cuadrado dislocated his shoulder.

To complicate matters for Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella, Chilean playmaker David Pizarro will serve his first of a two-match ban this weekend.

"We expect a difficult game against Fiorentina even if they are missing several important players," Cazzola said. "I'm sure the players that will replace them will be eager to prove their worth."

Fiorentina passed their first test without Gomez and Cuadrado in Thursday's 3-0 triumph over Pacos Ferreira in their Europa League Group E opener.

"I cannot deny that their (Gomez and Cuadrado) absences hinder us considerably," Montella said.

"But the fact is that we have to look ahead and hope to recover them as soon as possible."

The Viola are unbeaten so far this season and have taken seven points of a possible nine so far to climb to fourth in the Serie A standings.

Atalanta, in contrast, have mustered just one win so far.

The Bergamaschi lost for the second time on the road in last weekend's 2-0 reverse at Napoli.

"We will rely on our home fans to help us win on Sunday," Cazzola said. "Our task will be to make as few mistakes as possible and be focused from start to finish in order to make life difficult for Fiorentina."