Roma had been in fine form recently, and were hoping for another win in their push for the fourth and final Champions League place. However, the Giallorossi had to do without a large number of players, as Cassetti, Riise, Menez, Cicinho, Panucci, and Aquilani were injured, while Rodrigo Taddei was suspended. Francesco Totti led the line alongside Mirko Vucinic.

Atalanta had an excellent home record, and were hoping for another high profile scalp in 2009, having already beaten Inter in Bergamo. Coach Gigi Del Neri was minus the services of Vieri, De Ascentis, Talamonti, and Cigarini though. Cristiano Doni partnerred Sergio Floccari in attack.

First Half

Both sides were fired up from the start, with tackles flying in, and both Totti and Doni unsuccessfully tried their luck from long range.

Atalanta looked menacing when they came forward, and Thomas Manfredini saw his header from a corner cleared off the line, while Doni and Ferreira Pinto fizzed 20-yard shots just past the post.

Jaime Valdes was excelling down the left hand side, and on 23 minutes he twisted and turned past his man and lashed a deflected shot wide. Manfredini then again threatened from the ensuing corner.

Atalanta were having most of the play, but Totti was striking the ball beautifully for Roma, and he fired a 25-yard effort a couple of yards wide.

On 35 minutes, Vucinic wasted a fine opportunity, as he found himself all alone at the far post but, by taking a touch of the ball, he allowed Ferreira Pinto to recover and make the tackle.

Totti was having almost all of Roma's attempts, and just before half time he connected with a first-time volley at the back post, but he scuffed the shot across the six yard box.

Second Half

Atalanta started the second half strongly, and Doni was forced into a flying save to his right to push away a Ferreira Pinto header from Doni's knockdown.

A goal was coming, and on 52 minutes Atalanta broke the deadlock. The ball pinballed around the area, and eventually found it way to the fee of Daniele Capelli, who thundered an unstoppable half-volley into the bottom corner.

Atalanta continued to attack after finding the goal, and a few minutes later they doubled their lead. Simone Padoin crossed from the left, and Doni surged to the near post to flick the ball into the far bottom corner.

Roma had to change things, and coach Luciano Spalletti opted to replace David Pizarro with Julio Baptista.

It made little difference though, as moments later Atalanta made it 3-0. Doni ran unchallenged down the left, cut inside, put Juan on his backside, before slipping the ball past the goalkeeper.

Roma were having a torrid time, but they would have been pleased to see Doni leave the field on 65 minutes, as he made way for substitute Gianvito Plasmati.

Fabio Consigli was forced into his first real save of the game on 69 minutes, as he brilliantly finger-tipped over the bar a vicious drive from Marco Motta. Five minutes later, Consigli smothered a Baptista free kick.

Floccari had been leading the line superby, and he burst into life on 79 minutes, turning, running and then firing wide from 25 yards. Down the other end, Vucinic sliced the ball off target from a narrow angle.

If things couldn't get any worse, Simone Perrotta was red carded with 90 seconds remaining, following a dangerous tackle on Francesco Parravicini.

With Genoa and Fiorentina drawing elsewhere, Roma are now in sixth place in the race for the final Champions League slot.

Teams

Atalanta: Consigli, Garics, Capelli, Manfredini, Bellini, Ferreira Pinto, Guarente, Padoin, Valdes (Parravicini 70), Doni (Plasmati 65), Floccari (Defendi 86)

Roma: Doni, Motta, Mexes, Juan, Tonetto, De Rossi, Perrotta, Brighi, Pizarro, (Baptista 57) Totti, Vucinic

Goals

Capelli 52 (A)
Doni 55 (A)
Doni 59 (A)