Genoa vs Atalanta preview - Gasperini hopes to maintain form

Genoa coach Gian Piero Gasperini expects his side to build on their remarkable efforts in late 2014 by kicking off the new year with another home victory.

The Rossoblu are surprise contenders for a Champions League place after putting together a run of five wins from nine Serie A games that upset the established order heading into December.

The year did end with back-to-back defeats to Roma and Torino but Gasperini is not too disheartened ahead of Tuesday afternoon's meeting with Atalanta.

He told a pre-match press conference: "We have almost reached the halfway point of the season and so we now need to make sure we close out this first half in style.

"Tomorrow will be a winnable game and one that could give us a good push heading into the new year.

"The three points that we have set our sights on will help us maintain our excellent position in the league table."

Genoa have already flexed their muscles in the January transfer market by securing midfielder Tino Costa on loan from Spartak Moscow.

And Gasperini is confident the board is working hard to further strengthen his squad.

"The club is on the ball and will be active in the transfer window," he added. "We will be ready to capitalise on any good opportunities."

Sixth-placed Genoa are currently missing Rolando Mandragora and Giovanni Marchese through injury while midfielder Diego Perotti is serving a three-match ban.

Atalanta arrive at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris without Nicolo Cherubin, Marcelo Estigarribia and Cristian Raimondi. Former Parma midfielder Luca Cigarini is suspended.

Nerazzurri boss Stefano Colantuono understands the size of the task awaiting his relegation-threatened side, whose last away match ended in a 3-0 defeat to Lazio.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "Genoa are one of the best teams in the league, but we want to make a point and I expect us to have a better second half of the season than our first."