Atalanta vs Catania preview - Colantuono wants 'fury'

Posted Saturday, January 11, 2014 by PA

Atalanta coach Stefano Colantuono has called for his side to be more ruthless ahead of Sunday's match against lowly Catania.

The Bergamo outfit, currently 15th in Serie A, have not won a league game since November 10.

Atalanta fell 3-0 at AC Milan in their first game of 2014 to see their winless run extended to six games and Colantuono is desperate for his side to return to winning ways.

"We need to find something extra, some fury or some competitive ruthlessness that, above all in periods when luck does not go our way, can make the difference," Colantuono said. "We didn't show those qualities against Milan.

"We must work on character and competitiveness.

"With this we will prepare for the match against Catania on Sunday."

Despite their poor run of form, Atalanta will fancy their chances of taking three points at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia this weekend with Catania having lost all of their games on the road this season.

However, Serie A's bottom club beat Bologna 2-0 to enjoy a perfect start to 2014.

Monday's outcome was Catania's first win since November 9 and moved the Sicilians just two points from safety.

"It was important for us to start the year on the right foot," said coach Luigi De Canio.

"Now we hope to give continuity to this result.

"We must prepare in the best possible way for Sunday's game at Atalanta.

"It's clear that we need to do do a lot better away from home if we are to defend our Serie A status."

Catania travel to Bergamo without injured defender Pablo Alvarez while the hosts will be without the services of midfielder Cristian Raimondi, who must serve a one-match ban.