Atalanta 1 - 1 Siena

Atalanta 1-1 Siena

Updated: January 16, 2005, 5:04 PM UK

BERGAMO, January 16 (Serie A) - This battle between the two bottom clubs in Serie A was a predictably dour affair and a point will be unsatisfactory for both coaches.

Atalanta started the match well and took the lead through Davide Sinigaglia after 20 minutes.

However, a goal just before half-time from Enrico Chiesa ensured Siena took something home to Tuscany in their first match under new coach Luigi De Canio.

Atalanta's need for points is even more desperate than that of Siena's and they are six points adrift of their opponents.

The hosts started the first half in very positive fashion as they went out in search of what would have been the Bergamo club's second win of the season.

They created the first chance after only five minutes but Siena goalkeeper Marco Fortin pulled off a fine save to keep out Michele Marcolini's effort.

Buoyed by that early raid Atalanta continued to press forward and they received their due reward when they opened the scoring.

Giampaolo Bellini played in a dangerous cross and Sinigaglia marked his debut with a superbly-taken goal which he converted with the outside of his foot on the volley to bring to life the home fans at the Stadio Atleti d'Azzurri.

Siena slowly stirred from their slumber and four minutes later they almost got back on terms.

Giovanni Pasquale was the creator as he played in a dangerous low ball across the Atalanta area but neither Tore Andre Flo nor Chiesa could get on the end of it.

Just before the interval, however, the visitors drew level with a goal that was totally self-inflicted by Atalanta.

Duccio Innocenti underhit his backpass and former Italian international Chiesa showed all his old awareness to latch onto the ball and beat Atalanta goalkeeper Massimo Taibi.

The teams went in all square at the interval and when they re-emerged from the dressing rooms it was Atalanta who looked the more likely side to break the deadlock.

The Siena defence was left exposed when Igor Budan made a dangerous raid down the left but with Sinigaglia unmarked in the centre he failed to find his team-mate and the opportunity was wasted.

Atalanta were looking solid in defence and their opponents were reduced to shooting from distance with both Rodrigo Taddei and Paolo Foglio letting fly from long range only for Atalanta players to get in vital deflections.

At the other end the Siena defence was looking uncomfortable as Delio Rossi's men went in search of the winner.

After 67 minutes they almost found it as Siena failed to clear the danger but first Sinigaglia and then veteran defender Luigi Sala failed to find the net.

After 71 minutes there was one more chance for Atalanta as Fortin was called into action again to deny Bellini's long-range shot.

De Canio, who replaced the sacked Luigi Simoni, at least avoided defeat on his Serie A debut with his new side but Atalanta will rue the defensive error that gifted one of their main relegation rivals a share of the spoils.