As players across Italy arrive at their training grounds and coaches begin developing new tactics for their new faces, American Soccer Reader previews 20 Serie A clubs in 20 days, From A to Udinese.

Atalanta

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Location: Bergamo
Manager: Gigi Del Neri
Ground: Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia (Capacity: 26,638)

Pre-Season Training Began July 16th in Bergamo
Friendlies Scheduled: Pergocrema (August 6th)

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In: Jamie Valdes (M, Lecce); Marino Defendi (S, Chievo); Gyorgy Garics (S, Napoli); Christian Vieri (S, Fiorentina), Luca Cigarini (M, Parma); Andrea Consigli (G, Rimini); Alessio Manzoni (M, Spezia); Antonino D’Agostino (M, Treviso)

Out: Antonio Langella (S, Udinese); Moris Carrozzieri (D, Palermo); Fernando Damian Tissone (M, Udinese); Simone Inzaghi (S, Lazio); Manuel Belleri (D, Lazio); Andrea Ivan (G, Svincolato); Cristian Tiboni (S, Verona)

Negotiating For: Michele Anaclerio (D, Piacenza); Federico Peluso (D, Piacenza); Nicolas A. Cordova (S. Fiorentina); Victor Hugo Pele (M, Inter); Victor Obinna (S, Chievo); Alessio Sestu (M, Avellino); Piermario Morosni (M, Vicenza); Alessio Cerci (S, Roma)

Transfer Rating: 6.5

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The Bergamo-based club has certainly been busy during this summers transfer window.  After just missing out on European competition with a 9th place finish in Serie A, Atalanta have added some great talent without losing too many key pieces to their puzzle.  Most importantly, they have retained captain Cristiano Doni.  One acquisition in particular, however, has come in great dismay of their fans.  This would be Cristian Vieri, whose arrival was protested due to the manner in which he left to join Fiorentina last year.  Although you have to believe that if the aging Vieri produces, fans will forgive him.  The Nerazzurri have also added Azzurrini star and upcoming Olympic athlete Luca Cigarini, a player who was being pursued by several top clubs across Europe this summer. If Atalanta can secure just one more talented attacker, such as Victor Obinna or Roma starlet Alessi Cerci, fans can be happy with the way their summer has gone.

Nerazzurri faithful will be holding their breath in the coming days after accusations of match fixing have recently surfaced.   Defenseman Gianpaolo Bellini could be disqualified for 3+ years and Atalanta could face a penalty of –6 points if they are found guilty in the match-fixing probe.  Atalanta general manager Alessandro Ruggeri remains confident that there was no wrongdoing.

“We are relaxed,” Ruggeri said. “We await the verdict of the Disciplinary Commission with confidence.”

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Probable Formation: 4-4-1-1
Coppola; Bellini, Manfredini, Talamonti, Rivalta; Padoin, Guarente, Cigari, Ferreira; Doni; Vieri

Prediction: Lower-half finish (14th-17th place). Possibly relegation should there be a point penalty.

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