Inter Milan striker Hernan Crespo believes his side should focus solely on their own results ahead of Sunday's Serie A clash at Atalanta.The league leaders travel the short distance to Bergamo desperate for a win to maintain their four-point gap over closest rivals Roma.

However, Atalanta snatched a shock 2-1 victory against giants AC Milan at the San Siro last time out and will be full of confidence.

Crespo likened the run-in to a cycle race, saying: "We need to keep our heads down and peddle as hard as possible without ever looking over our shoulders otherwise others could overtake.

"We must only worry about ourselves. If we do this then there is nothing anyone can do and we will get back on the right track. Roma must also watch out for who is behind them.

"We are not as bright as we were a while ago, that is obvious, but anyone can go through a rough patch in the course of a season.

"The elimination from the Champions League knocked us back a bit but now the worst is over and the old Inter will return shortly.

"An added boost is that the midweek games are almost over so we are able to prepare for matches better."

Coach Roberto Mancini is buoyed by the availability of midfield duo Esteban Cambiasso and Patrick Vieira. The Beneamata have won 13 of 16 matches when the two have been paired in central midfield.

Maniche and Cristian Chivu could make way, while Marco Materazzi will replace Nicolas Burdisso in defence.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic may have to settle for the bench as the Nerazzurri revert to a 4-5-1 formation with Crespo the lone striker and Luis Figo joining the five-man midfield.

Atalanta playmaker Cristiano Doni has warned Inter they will need to work hard if they are to leave Bergamo with a result.

"I am certain that for Inter to win here they will have to put in a top performance," he told la Gazzetta dello Sport.

"When we are free to play without any thoughts, worries or the need to get a result at all costs we can cause problems for anyone.

"This is a team that is inconsistent. We are able to put in both positive and negative performances, we go from fantastic results to having real off days."

The Bergamaschi have a decent record at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D'Italia this season having lost just twice so they will be confident of causing the visitors problems.

A blow for coach Luigi Del Neri is that defender Claudio Rivalta has been ruled out for up to three weeks with a dead leg while Jose Talamonti and Francisco Jose Costinha are also sidelined. Thomas Manfredini and Manuel Belleri are expected to deputise.

Moris Carrozzieri is suspended.

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