Lecce vs Atalanta preview - Bergamaschi looking to clean slate

Posted Wednesday, September 21, 2011 by PA

Atalanta travel to Lecce hoping to wipe out the last of their points deficit.

The Bergamaschi took another bite out of their six-point deduction last weekend when they beat Palermo 1-0, thanks to German Denis' first-half goal.

Atalanta gained promotion to Serie A last season but a summer betting probe saw Stefano Colantuono's team start the new campaign having been docked six points.

"This win gives us so much oxygen," Colantuono said. "We have taken three very important points.

"Our standings say minus two but it could have been plus four had we not been punished.

"We have to continue to do well because we have started our campaign in the right manner.

"Our main aim is to come out of this situation as soon as possible.

"Once we come out of being in the negative, our situation will still be a difficult one, but even though we know we have a big challenge in our hands to avoid the drop this season, I'm confident that we can do it."

Rivals Lecce bounced back from their 2-0 defeat to Udinese with a 2-0 triumph at Bologna last weekend.

Eusebio Di Francesco's men go into Wednesday's game at the Via Del Mare stadium looking to pick up where they left off against Bologna.

"We showed against Bologna that we are growing as a team," Lecce captain Guillermo Giacomazzi said. "Now need to show our improvements against Atalanta."

Massimo Oddo could make his first appearance for Lecce tomorrow after joining the club on loan from AC Milan this summer.

The veteran defender missed the opening two games with a muscular injury.

The visitors will be without defender Stefano Lucchini, who is out with a thigh problem.