Atalanta remains in the lead, Empoli beaten 3-2

Eleven victories in a row and Natale at the top of the standings of Serie A for Atalanta, who beat, at home, 3-2, a plastered but always strong-willed Empoli. De Ketelaere’s brace and Lookman’s goal were decisive. Nothing to do for D’Aversa’s team, their third defeat in the last five games, scoring with Colombo and Esposito (from 11 metres). Atalanta started with the handbrake on, the Tuscans instead took advantage of the opportunity by exasperating the man-to-man marking which created quite a few problems for Gasperini’s team.

The first flash was that of Colombo: the Tuscans took advantage of a carelessness on a throw-in, in the 13th minute the Empoli attacker surpassed Carnesecchi thanks also to Djimsiti’s deflection. Bad news also regarding Mateo Retegui, left in the 21st minute due to a muscle strain in the left quadriceps: Zaniolo came on in place of the Italian-Argentine, placed by the Bergamo coach at the center of the attack. Two posts were hit by the home team, but within a few minutes two goals arrived: the first from De Ketelaere (34′), following a cross from Zappacosta; the overtaking one signed by Lookman, capable of exploiting Zaniolo’s pass, which arrived in the first minute of injury time.

In the second half the Nerazzurri tried to surprise Vasquez with a violent shot from Ederson from distance but the equalizer came (temporarily 2-2), scored by Esposito from a penalty kick, after a foul by Djimsiti on Grassi (action reviewed at VAR by part of Feliciani). Atalanta then relied on individual play and four minutes from the 90th minute it was De Ketelaere who found the winning diagonal for the 3-2 goal, after missing a couple of men. In Bergamo the celebration for Christmas and for the Orobic team starts, which is sky high ever.