Atalanta vs Bologna preview - Colantuono suffers Denis blow
Posted Saturday, November 09, 2013 by PA
Atalanta have suffered a blow ahead of Sunday's game against Bologna with pivotal striker German Denis unavailable through suspension.
Denis, who is Atalanta's top scorer with five goals this season, was handed a two-match ban by the Italian football league after insulting an official in last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Livorno.
The Argentinian forward will sit out the game against Bologna as well as his team's trip to Sassuolo.
To complicate matters for Atalanta coach Stefano Colantuono, they will also be without midfielder Carlos Carmona, who was sent off against Livorno, and must serve a one-match ban.
Colantuono will be hoping their absence does not hinder his team as it looks to halt a three-game winless run in Serie A against Bologna.
"We have to be ready for Sunday's game against Bologna, which will be a difficult one," Colantuono said. "We need to get as many points as possible in order to climb up in the standings."
Atalanta are ninth and will fancy their chances of taking a positive result this weekend with the Bergamo outfit having lost just once at the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia stadium.
However, Bologna go into this weekend's match in fine form.
The Rossoblu have taken seven points of a possible nine in their last three games to climb two places and one point clear of the relegation zone.
Moreover, Stefano Pioli's side kept a clean sheet for the third consecutive time in last weekend's goalless draw against Chievo.
"We have changed our mentality in recent weeks," Bologna striker Rene Khrin said.
"After our game against Sassuolo we decided we couldn't give away so many goals and we all started defending every action as though it was crucial.
"We hope we can keep up or good form.
"The fact that Atalanta will not have Carmona and Denis is an advantage for us but I'm sure whoever replaces them will do a good job."
Bologna will be without midfielders Michele Pazienza and Diego Perez, both suspended.
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