Atalanta vs Lazio preview - Klose boost for Biancoceleste

Posted Saturday, October 19, 2013 by PA

Lazio will be boosted by the return of Germany striker Miroslav Klose for Sunday's game at Atalanta.

Klose has been out of action for a month with a foot injury but is expected to lead Lazio's attack in Bergamo.

The Biancoceleste go into the encounter at the Renato Dall' Ara stadium on the back of two straight draws and looking for their first win on the road this season.

Their goalless result against Fiorentina last time out lifted Vladimir Petkovic's side to seventh place, 10 points adrift of city rivals and Serie A leaders Roma.

"We have to be focused and determined because we face a team that are organised and dangerous," Lazio midfielder Senad Lulic said.

"We want to improve our results, especially on the road.

"We know it will be a difficult game but we hope to come out triumphant."

Lulic will have an extra spring in his step this weekend after helping Bosnia-Herzegovina qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time in the nation's history.

The midfielder started in Bosnia's 1-0 triumph at Lithuania on Tuesday which earned his team a spot in next year's tournament in Brazil.

"The joy of qualifying for the World Cup will give me a lot enthusiasm to play better," Lulic said. "This goes as well for my compatriots.

"We are hungry and we will prove it on the pitch."

Atalanta go into Sunday's game in good form.

The Bergamaschi have won their last two league games with a 1-0 triumph at Chievo last time out lifting Stefano Colantuono's side to 11th place, two points behind Lazio.

Colantuono has great respect for Sunday's opponents.

"I really like Petkovic and what he's doing at Lazio," he said. "He's doing well and I'm sure at the end of the season they'll be up in the top six.

"They maybe haven't picked up as many points as they'd have liked, but they deserve more from what I've seen this term."