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Atalanta dominated the opening half-hour of this match, but Palermo fought back to earn a point in Bergamo.
Only season ticket holders were allowed into the Stadio Azzurri d'Italia due to safety restrictions, but there were some even more important people out of this match. Palermo had Eugenio Corini and David Di Michele suspended as well as the injured Amauri and Andrea Barzagli, while Atalanta had Massimo Donati, Migliaccio and Christian Vieri sidelined.
Within 60 seconds Atalanta had a great chance, as Rodrigo Defendi controlled a Cristiano Doni pass and placed a low finish inches past the near post. Soon after, Bellini's first touch let him down and Alberto Fontana rushed out from six yards to block his path, while the goalkeeper needed two touches to get an Antonino Bernardini snapshot under control.
It was turning into a siege, as Doni again tested veteran Fontana with a powerful strike.
It was clearly just a matter of time and Atalanta broke through after 13 minutes. Bernardini's cross went past two and Riccardo Zampagna was left totally unmarked to tap in at the back post.
Palermo came out of their shell and Andrea Caracciolo's glancing header was off target, but Atalanta had another fantastic scoring opportunity. Luca Ariatti's dummy caught Zampagna off guard and Bellini's strike was deflected just over the bar.
Fabio Simplicio's corner kick clipped the crossbar directly from the flag, then Palermo had their best chance yet with a cracking Cassani volley from outside the area that Alex Calderoni brilliantly palmed round the post.
Atalanta were livid on 39 minutes when they had a good penalty shout waved away that probably would have also resulted in a red card. Doni flicked the ball across with his back to goal for Ariatti to run into the area and Cassani seemed to trip him up clear on goal. Cassani was booked soon after for a separate incident and will be suspended on Wednesday against Milan.
In stoppages a woeful backpass was interrupted by Ariatti and Fontana rushed out to clear with his feet.
After the break Palermo were more aggressive and Caracciolo's screamer from distance stung Calderoni's palms to turn it over for a corner.
The Rosanero snatched an equaliser at the end of a fine team move. Fabio Simplicio spotted Pisano clear coming in from the left and his cross was deflected into the path of Aimo Diana for the finish.
It was nearly 2-1 for the Rosanero a few minutes later, as a cross was whipped in fron the right and Calderoni did just enough to prod it away from both Caracciolo and Tedesco.
Doni was booked for a very late tackle on Tedesco and will be suspended for Wednesday's match with his former club Sampdoria.
It would have been a sensational goal for Atalanta when Zampagna flicked the ball on for Ferreira Pinto and Bellini just failed to turn in at the near post, closed down by a desperate challenge.
There were worrying scenes when Fontana clattered into Simone Loria in a terrible collision that forced both players off the field. Although the defender seemed to lose consciousness, both were able to walk off with the aid of the medical staff.
Substitute goalkeeper Federico Agliardi came out to close down Nicola Ventola, but the ex-Crystal Palace striker wasted a good chance by going for glory instead of passing to Ariatti.
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