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Serie A

After a welcome two-week break struggling Siena will look to show some improvement in Sunday's game against Atalanta.

The Bianconeri find themselves bottom of Serie A after taking just six points from 12 matches this season.

Marco Baroni is currently their caretaker coach following Marco Giampaolo's departure 10 games into the season.

The Tuscan outfit were hoping to lure Mario Beretta back to Siena last week but were handed a blow when he turned down the offer.

"I am very saddened to announce that the negotiations for my return to Siena have been broken," said Beretta.

"I believe that the means needed to try to help the team avoid the drop this season are not there.

"I wish the players, the coaching staff and the fans, who have always shown a lot of support to me, to come out of the difficult position in the standings as soon as possible."

With eight defeats and just one win so far, it is no surprise the team, watched closely by club president Lombardi Stronati, have spent the last 14 days concentrating on putting things right.

"We are only thinking about salvation and have put the rest to one side," said Baroni. "We will play and fight to avoid the drop, as this is the most important thing.

"My players should only be thinking about how to defeat Atalanta on Sunday and nothing else.

"We must win this game, it is absolutely necessary that we take a triumph in order to give us oxygen and bring calmness to the team.

"As long as I am here, things will be done with this mentality."

Siena have one of the worst defences in Serie A, conceding 20 goals and scoring just once in their last four home games.

Atalanta, who are three points better off, will be under pressure to take maximum points at the Artemio Franchi stadium with anything but a win possibly seeing them drop into the bottom three.

Antonio Conte's side go into the game on the back of defeats to Livorno, Cagliari and Juventus.

The Bergamaschi appear to have made an improvement in their weak attack, having struck twice against the Turin giants having failed to hit the back of the net in their previous two games.

However, the 5-2 loss to Juventus left Atalanta level on nine points with 18th-placed Livorno.

Conte's side will be desperate to show a vast improvement in defence after conceding nine goals in their last three games.

Baroni will have all his players available with the exception of injured defender Luca Rossettini and midfielder Francesco Parravicini.

The hosts will be hoping striker Massimo Maccarone can maintain his form in front of goal having scored in the last two games.

The visitors will have to overcome the absence of Cristiano Doni and Tiberio Guarente, both serving a one-match ban.