Atalanta va Hellas Verona preview - Mandorlini maintains positive view

Hellas Verona coach Andrea Mandorlini remains upbeat about the season despite last weekend's costly home defeat to Fiorentina.

The 5-3 setback ended Hellas' positive run, which had seen them win their previous two encounters, and meant they dropped to 11th place heading into Saturday's match at Atalanta.

The Verona outfit are seven points adrift of Inter Milan, who are fifth and hold the last Europa League qualifying spot with five games remaining.

Mandorlini said: "It was a pity because victory over Fiorentina would have allowed us to remain in contention for European football next season.

"But the team is already looking ahead to the next game against Atalanta. We have five important games and we want to finish as high as possible in the standings.

"We want to improve on what we have done so far.

"We are enjoying an extraordinary campaign and the defeat against Fiorentina does not change that."

Hellas gained promotion to Italy's top flight last summer and have won 14 of their 33 games so far.

Rivals Atalanta go into the encounter in Bergamo having also seen their hopes of playing in Europe next season end after last weekend's 3-1 loss at Roma.

The result followed their 2-0 defeat to Sassuolo and saw Atalanta fall to 10th place, level on 46 points with Hellas.

"We must put the defeat at Roma behind us and focus on returning to winning ways," Atalanta midfielder Giulio Migliaccio said.

"We didn't play well against Roma and we want to make amends, starting on Saturday.

"We want to finish the season in style and it would be fantastic if we can surpass the club record of 52 points."

Hellas will not be at full strength with defender Domenico Maietta and midfield pair Marco Donadel and Jacopo Sala, all suspended.

The host will be bolstered by the return of defender Cristiano Del Grosso from suspension.