Moralez earns Atalanta vital victory

Posted Tuesday, April 24, 2012 by PA

Atalanta eased their relegation jitters with a 1-0 victory over Chievo in Serie A.

Maximiliano Moralez scored the only goal in the second half as the hosts climbed to ninth place, eight points clear of the drop zone and now level with Chievo, who drop behind their opponents to 10th.

A poor first period was peppered with optimistic shots from distance that failed to trouble either goalkeeper, but right on the stroke of the break Atalanta finally forced Stefano Sorrentino into action.

Ezequiel Schelotto had the chance, picking the ball up and firing in a right-footed shot from inside the area that forced Sorrentino into a good save low by his left post.

A minute later Schelotto had another chance to break the deadlock but once again Sorrentino was in the right place to make a routine save.

Chievo finally threatened after the break, Nicholas Frey heading wide of the right-hand post after connecting with Michael Bradley's free-kick in the 57th minute.

Moralez flashed an effort over the bar on 62 minutes as Atalanta hit back, while three minutes later the hosts went close again when Carlos Carmona crossed and German Denis headed just wide.

The only goal arrived in the 72nd minute, Schelotto the provider with the ball in to Moralez, who took aim from inside the area with an effort that flew high into the top-left corner.

The hosts nearly doubled their lead on 83 minutes when Giacomo Bonaventura's close-range header went narrowly over, but by then they had already done enough to earn the points in the face of a poor effort by the visiting side.