Cesena vs Atalanta preview - Denis ban a blow for Atalanta

Posted Tuesday, April 28, 2015 by PA

Atalanta's Serie A survival hopes have been hit by a five-match suspension for top scorer German Denis.

The Argentinian forward, who will begin serving his ban on Wednesday when Atalanta visit Cesena, was punished after entering Empoli's changing room on Sunday and punching opposing defender Lorenzo Tonelli.

Denis, who has netted eight goals this season including a stoppage-time equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw on Sunday, will not be available until the last game of the campaign.

"Denis' reaction is deplorable," Atalanta general director Pierpaolo Marino said to the Italian press. "But he is a human being and he is not crazy.

"We know that he was provoked and received a death threat from Tonelli.

"This type of provocation can lead to anyone losing their heads, even someone like Denis.

"It's true that the reaction happened, but there was a serious provocation."

Tonelli was banned for one game for intimidating Denis with the phrase "I will kill you and your family".

Atalanta head into the midweek game occupying the last position of safety, seven points clear of the drop zone, and have not lost in their last three games.

The Bergamo club will be bolstered by the return of Chilean forward Mauricio Pinilla, who has completed a three-match ban for violent conduct and will replace Denis in attack.

The situation is grim for Cesena, who have not won since March 1 and have collected just four points since.

The Emilia-Romagna club lie 19th in the standings, eight points behind Atalanta after Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Genoa.

"In order to climb up in the table, we have to be extremely focused and limit mistakes as much as possible," Cesena coach Domenico Di Carlo said. "We need to reduce the gap on Atalanta to keep our hopes alive.

"I expect my players to go out on Wednesday determined to produce a great performance."

The hosts will be boosted by the return of midfielder Gaby Mudingayi from suspension, but Brazilian midfielder Ze Eduardo must serve a one-match ban.