| Ascoli fought valiantly, but a late flurry of goals ensured Atalanta's stunning campaign continues. The Bianconeri were rock bottom in Serie A going into this game, while the Orobici were flying high following their 5-1 demolition job on Livorno. Nedo Sonetti faced the club he had taken charge of in the 1980s. Played at 18.00 local time, this was the first match of the second half of the 2006-07 campaign.
Moris Carrozzieri side-footed a cross just wide of the target in the opening minutes, then Gianluca Pagliuca was at full stretch to parry a Massimo Donati snapshot and rushed out to clear from Ferreira Pinto.
January signing Gigi Di Biagio went close for the home side, drilling over from the edge of the area, and Alex Calderoni had his palms stung by a Zanetti missile.
Riccardo Zampagna's ambitious backheel was dealt with by Pagliuca as Atalanta started the second half with more attacking zeal.
The deadlock was eventually broken on 51 minutes, when Zampagna rolled a free kick out to Adriano and ran into the area to finish off the move with a precise header, his fourth goal of the season.
Ascoli fought back vehemently and after a save on Zanetti, Paolucci managed to draw them level by pouncing on a defensive error. Adriano only cleared the ball as far as Paolucci on the edge of the box and he waltzed past the Brazilian to net.
The momentum was now with the Del Duca outfit, as Simone Pesce's shot took a deflection off Di Biagio's diving header to skim the woodwork.
But it was not to be for Ascoli, as Atalanta ran riot in the final minutes. Against the run of play, Adriano rose to nod in Tissone's corner kick and restore the Orobici's lead.
No Atalanta victory seems complete this season without Cristiano Doni on the scoresheet and the midfielder finalised Tissone's counter-attack with a precise low drive past Pagliuca.
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