Atalanta vs Roma - Serie A Match Preview and Kick Off Time
Atalanta's bid for
Serie A safety looks set to hit a speed bump this weekend as in-form AS
Roma visit Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia in Bergamo.
The
Bergamaschi climbed to 14th in the table with wins against Milan and
Bologna prior to being felled by Torino (2-1) last time out. That result
leaves them eight points above the bottom three with six games to go in
the campaign and though they'll be determined to edge closer to
securing their top flight status on Sunday, they face a tough ask
against a Giallorossi outfit who have take 11 points from a possible 15
to maintain their grip on the third and final UEFA Champions League
qualifying berth in Serie A.
Roma
also have ambitions of catching second placed Napoli in the standings,
which would guarantee automatic progress to the group phase of Europe's
premier club competition next season.
The
Wolves suffered a set-back in that regard on Monday evening, when
Roberto Donadoni’s Bologna took a point home from the Stadio Olimpico,
although the return of Francesco Totti to the side in that contest was a
boost for Roma.
That clash came too soon for
Dutch international Kevin Strootman, though, and he looks set to miss
out again with manager Luciano Spalletti expecting a tough test from the
hosts.
"Atalanta are a stubborn side. They've made it hard for everyone at their place and if we tried to go toe-to-toe with them in a physical battle they'd probably come out on top," he told Roma Radio.
"We'd planned to bring him [Strootman] on against Bologna depending on how the game went. He's still not quite there yet and it would be better for him to do it by playing in real match situations. His quality and strength – both mentally and on the pitch – are factors I'm bearing in mind. He's certainly not lacking in character."
Strootman has played in just two games for Roma in as many months and Spalletti is reluctant to rush his injury return.