Atalanta vs AS Roma preview - De Rossi wants to get back on track

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi has called on his team-mates to refocus and return to winning ways at Atalanta on Sunday.

The Giallorossi have drawn their last three league games, including last Monday's 0-0 draw with Cagliari, to undermine their blistering start to the season.

The latest draw prevented Roma from reclaiming top spot in Serie A and the Giallorossi have dropped to second place, one point adrift of league leaders Juventus.

"We are disappointed," De Rossi said. "We had so many opportunities to score against Cagliari and we should have taken three points.

"I don't think we have a problem up front but we need to make sure that we make the most of our chances.

"It's normal that when you are at the top of the table you want to remain there and when you are not, you want to return to lead the way.

"We will try to put pressure on Juventus with a win at Atalanta.

"However, we cannot forget that our aim this season is to qualify for the Champions League and we are having a great campaign so far."

Roma have found the net just twice in their last three league games. The Eternal City giants remain unbeaten, but take on an Atalanta side that has lost just once at home this season.

The Bergamaschi will be looking to bounce back from last weekend's surprise 2-0 defeat at Sassuolo that saw them drop to 10th place.

The defeat was not Atalanta's only setback as they lost captain Gianpaolo Bellini for four months with a tendon injury.

"I'm sure the team can do well without me," Bellini said.

"I will try to recover as soon as possible from this injury."

The only consolation for Atalanta coach Stefano Colantuono is that defender Guglielmo Stendardo will be available to face Roma despite receiving a knock on his knee in the last game.

The visitors will be bolstered by the return of defender Mehdi Benatia and midfielder Miralem Pjanic, who have both recovered from their respective injuries.

Roma are still without injured captain Francesco Totti.

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