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Atalanta earned a point at the Granillo thanks to an extremely dubious penalty kick.
Both sides broke in new Coaches, as Massimo Ficcadenti made his Serie A debut at Reggina and Atalanta boss Gigi Del Neri began another adventure. The Amaranto survived despite an 11-point Calciopoli penalty last term, but have sold many of their stars including Pasquale Foggia, Giandomenico Mesto and Manchester City's Rolando Bianchi. Reggina fielded four Serie A debutants in their starting XI.
Cristiano Doni's weak header from an Antonio Langella cross was comfortably held, then Edgar Barreto failed to make the most of Hallfredsson's fine assist.
Campagnolo pushed a Barreto free kick out for a corner and soon after Nicola Amoruso's header skimmed the frame of the goal. Doni tested the Reggina goalkeeper's reflexes a couple of times in the first half.
Atalanta were forced into a substitution when Ferreira Pinto went off for Adriano.
The searing heat - almost 40 degrees Celsius - in Reggio Calabria made it very difficult to play fast paced football. Joelson had the best chance for the Amaranto, firing wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Atalanta were struggling more and it showed in the opening goal on 76 minutes. Nicola Amoruso's cushioned header came off the inside of the post and ricocheted in off goalkeeper Coppola's shinpad.
The referee pointed to the spot for a Valdez 'embrace' on Riccardo Zampagna, but the Atalanta man did not do a great deal to stay on his feet. Nonetheless, Cristiano Doni converted to draw the Orobici level.
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