Final result: Atalanta-Empoli 3-2
Carnesecchi 6 – He's not to blame for the goals conceded, otherwise he's careful when dealing with Empoli's crosses.
Kossounou 5.5 – In Atalanta's most complicated moment he is the first… To go astray. Stuck with his hand on his hip in the general slumber of the 0-1, he runs into difficulty when Empoli raises the pressure. Better when he launches into offensive projection.
Djimsiti 5 – He does his best in attack, with a header that hits the post. At the back, as a central defender in Hien's place, he is more uncomfortable. His was the foul that caused the 2-2 penalty. Error partially (but only partially) redeemed with a great save on the Colombo-Anjorin duo.
Kolasinac 6 – At the beginning he finds it difficult to measure up, but then he enters the game and puts in all his determination on every occasion.
Bellanova 6 – Atalanta prefers the other lane and so he is less involved, but he remains diligent as long as he has breath.
Pasalic 5.5 – If Atalanta loses a bit of balance it is evidently also due to their characteristics: sometimes they lose their position a bit and puts their teammates in difficulty. Better as the minutes pass.
Ederson 6.5 – Literally everywhere. One minute you see him bringing the first pressure on the back line of the opponent's goal, the next strengthening the defensive hinge if Empoli come out well. Key player for Gasperini, but we certainly won't find out today.
Zappacosta 6,5 – Always well covered on his side, on the leg the duel ends in a draw, but on technique there is no story: the 2-1 goal comes from his foot. From 69' Ruggeri 6 – He enters well, is immediately in the heart of the game, a couple of bucks of his own.
De Ketelaere 7.5 – The dive on the ball that earned him the goal is a bit of a snapshot of his career at Atalanta: he dives into opportunities and manages to make the difference from nothing. Once upon a time the label was 'mysterious object', today we give it another one: a certain guarantee. He proves it five minutes from the end, with the magic that decrees the 3-2. As if to say: do you think we don't shine? Then I'll do the show. Like against Young Boys, for example, but not just this year.Dal 69' Samardzic 6 – Enter a moment when the Goddess needs her own individual action. He tries, he certainly doesn't lack the initiative, but Empoli holds him well.
Retegui 6 – His game doesn't last long, at a time when Atalanta is struggling to pass the ball to him. Then he raises the white flag due to a muscle problem. From 20' Zaniolo 6.5 – Ready-go, a few seconds and it's a yellow card: it makes you turn up your nose. Then, another handful of minutes, and you start to see his work for the team. From the bank, low wall. Of sacrifice. And quality too, like the finish that launches Lookman into the goal to make it 2-1.
Lookman 6,5 – The Lookman we know is the one from the raid that leads to the goal. Which is very strong. But tonight it lights up with alternating current. Of course, his always does it, but also thanks to a good performance by Goglichidze in marking on him he escapes less than usual.
Gian Piero Gasperini 6.5 – An evening in which Atalanta is not the Atalanta of every day. At the beginning he struggles to find the rhythm, then when the usual seems to appear Deaa sensational defensive sleep. Too unbalanced, even in the second half. In short, certainly not one of the best evenings. Then he takes care of it: in the 69th minute De Ketelaere seems to have to come off for Samardzic, but instead at the last minute he decides to remove Lookman; CDK remains on the field and he himself solves this complicated evening for him.
