Atalanta-Napoli 2-3, Conte wins the big match: is it a Scudetto escape?

Napoli wins 3-2 at Atalanta in the big match of the 21st matchday of Serie A today 18 January 2025 and extends to the top of the rankings. The team coached by Conte moves on to Bergamo and flies to 50 points, 6 points ahead of Inter who have 2 games less. Atalanta remains at 43 points, slips to -7 from first place and risks falling off the Scudetto train.

It matches

Atalanta breaks the deadlock in the 16th minute. Retegui is very good at exploiting a loose ball. A rebound becomes an assist for the Nerazzurri center forward, who shoots with his left foot and hits Meret with power: 1-0. Napoli took the blow, regrouped and within 10 minutes equalised. At 27′ Politano he controls the ball after Djimsiti’s deflection, his left foot gives Carnesecchi no chance: 1-1. Napoli scores in the 40th minute with an excellent action triggered by Neres’ backheel. Anguissa finishes and McTominay finishes from inside the penalty area, 1-2 and the Azzurri ahead at the break.

The second half opens with Atalanta on the attack. The Nerazzurri push and find the equalizer in the 55th minute with Lookman’s one-man show. Di Lorenzo is skipped like a skittle, the left-footed conclusion is surgical: 2-2. The hosts continue to push and Samardzic, in the 58th minute, challenges Meret who is attentive at the near post. The Neapolitan goalkeeper was also the protagonist in the 70th minute, when he defused De Ketelaere’s insidious header.

Napoli put their heads back out of their shell in the 78th minute and struck. Anguissa crosses, Lukaku is punctual for the appointment: winning header and 2-3. Atalanta were frozen at the moment of their maximum effort, the Bergamo players felt the pinch and in the last portion of the match they were unable to mount a reaction. Napoli controls, wins 3 golden points and dreams of escaping the Scudetto.