Italian Serie A: 10-man Atalanta earn point against Udinese

Atalanta survived the sending-off of midfielder Carlos Carmona to earn a valuable point at home to Udinese on Sunday afternoon.

With the score level at 0-0 with 14 minutes to go, Carmona was shown a straight red for his challenge on Udinese's Brazilian midfielder Allan.

However, Udinese, who had gone close in the first half when Silvan Widmer's shot crashed off the post with goalkeeper Marco Sportiello beaten, could not make their numerical advantage count as the match finished goalless.

The outcome in Bergamo extended Atalanta's winless run to six games and left coach Edy Reja still searching for his first victory since becoming coach last month.

Atalanta remained in 17th place, four points clear of the drop zone, while Udinese stayed in 12th.

The Friuli outfit went into the contest having snapped a a three-game losing streak last weekend in a 3-2 triumph over Torino.

In the 13th minute, the visitors could not believe their luck as Widmer's right-footed shot from 12 yards hit the post.

Atalanta created their first chance in the 21st minute when Maximiliano Moralez's header from Boukary Drame's cross was kept out by Udinese goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis.

Karnezis was called on again to make a vital save to clear Alejandro Gomez's thunderous strike from 30 yards.

The hosts wasted a good chance to go in front before the interval when Drame headed Moralez's cross way off target from a good position.

Atalanta began the second half well and threatened to score when German Denis fed Andrea Massiello in the box, but he struck the ball just wide of the near post.

On the hour mark, Denis got closer when his powerful header from Gomez's dangerous cross forced Karnezis to make a save.

Udinese showed more intent after Carmona was handed his marching orders.

The Friuli team had two chances to score late on but substitute Cyril Thereau and Widmer both failed to get headers on target.