Valdes 16 (A), Ferreira Pinto 70 (A)
Stadio Azzurri d’Italia
Siena are practically in Serie B after losing this relegation dogfight, as they drop to joint bottom place with Livorno.
This could be the decider in the relegation battle, as defeat would almost certainly spell doom for one of the teams. They went into this Easter weekend in 18th and 19th respectively with some very difficult fixtures ahead.
Atalanta were missing Paolo Zanetti, Javier Chevanton, Edgar Barreto, Leonardo Talamonti and Giampaolo Bellini. Siena were without Albin Ekdal, Francesco Parravicini and Luca Rossettini.
Play almost didn’t go ahead after heavy rainfall over Bergamo. Nicola Amoruso nodded just wide in the opening moments, but then got involved in a scuffle with Aleandro Rosi.
Atalanta broke through with a wonderful individual strike from Jaime Valdes. The Chilean took a step outside the box and smashed the right-foot screamer in off the inside of the near post.
Ferreira Pinto’s effort shaved a coat of paint off the woodwork, while Del Grosso’s free kick was off target. Just before half-time Gianluca Curci did well to deny Amoruso’s angled drive.
After the restart Andrea Consigli needed his first real save, at full stretch to palm Larrondo’s header off the line with one strong hand.
Simone Vergassola went so close to an equaliser by pouncing on a poor clearance from close range, but ballooned over. Siena also had penalty appeals for an Emilson Sanchez Cribari challenge on Amoruso.
Atalanta doubled their lead when Guarente’s free kick to the back post was knocked across by Manfredini for Ferreira Pinto’s free header from point-blank range.