Genoa and Atalanta fight to draw

Stadio Luigi Ferraris was the setting for a power-packed fight between Genoa and Atalanta that ended in a draw. With thirty-two fouls and three red-cards, tempers were short as two clubs fighting for a Europa League bid were not prepared to give up a morsel of ground.

While Genoa controlled over sixty per-cent of the possession and were more efficient with their passing, they lacked the final creative touch in the final third and barely could sting the hands of Atalanta's Ferdinando Coppola. It was peculiar to say the least as Genoa looked ready to break through early as Diego Milito threatened twice before the tenth minute, including a header off the post six minutes in. However seventeen minutes after the start Sergio Floccari produced a highlight clip circumventing defenders and the Genoa 'keeper for a brilliant goal. The run of play slowed on the barely playable pitch and tensions went from simmer to boiling over after the break.

Twelve minutes after the break Gianpaolo Bellini was excused leaving Atalanta a man down. With the advantage Gian Piero Gasperini called upon former Crvena zvezda man Boško Janković who immediately created a multitude of problems for the opposition. However the advantage was short-lived as Omar Milanetto was red-carded a minute past the hour mark. Oddly enough the man advantage returned as Claudio Rivalta embarrassed himself with a hatchet job on Raffaele Palladino, resulting in a red-card at the seventieth minute. With four minutes remaining Genoa found the equalizer as Domenico Criscito's cross was turned-in by Giuseppe Sculli

Genoa heads to beautiful Verona next Sunday to face Chievo before the break over the holiday.

Genoa v Atalanta match preview

Following last weeks triumphant 1-0 victory over Sampdoria in the Derby della Lanterna the Rossoblu find themselves in the rare world of sixty place of the Serie A table. Sitting in such a lofty position Gian Piero Gasperini's side have turned from the hunter to the hunted and face the perilous problem of being targeted by others. One point behind Fiorentina and a further point behind Napoli, Genoa is faced with a delicate task of Atalanta who have their own hopes for European glory.

The Bergamo natives are questionably one of the most economical forces in Serie A, mixing a well-managed budget, that like Genoa fancy themselves as a upper tier club. Led by the highly respected Luigi Del Neri the Nerazzurri eschew a strong work ethic, near tactical perfection and superb knowledge of the opposition.

Atalanta will come out in a 4-4-1-1 with wise veteran Cristiano Donin with late bloomer Sergio Floccari. Simone Padoin and Tiberio Guarente will anchor the midfield with a stingy back-line of Leonardo Talamonti, Thomas Manfredini, Austrian international György Garics and forever Atalanta man Gianpaolo Bellini. The Nerazzurri are coming off consecutive defeats of Udinese and Lazio, both clean sheets. Their nemesis has been playing on the road, which makes their visit of Stadio Luigi Ferraris particularly warming to their host who equally prefer playing at home.

Gian Piero Gasperini will not have the services of Andrea Gasbarroni, Giandomenico Mesto, Rubén Olivera, Matteo Paro and Marcel Román for the match. They will employ their customary 3-4-3 with Matteo Ferrari proving he is worthy of a call-up to the Azzurri and Diego Milito, Il Principe, maintaining his stature as one of most valuable arrivals to Serie A this year.