Atalanta’s Serie A winning streak ended with a 1-1 draw at Lazio on Saturday, after Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s first-half goal for the hosts was equalized late on by Marco Brescianini.
The result ends Atalanta’s 11-game winning streak, but the Gian Piero Gasperini-led side remains at the top of the table with 41 points, one point ahead of Inter Milan who won a 3-0 match against Cagliari earlier today. Lazio is fourth with 35 points.
The Romans started aggressively in the opening minutes, with Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi saving a double chance from Valentin Castellanos before Matteo Guendouzi sent a long-range strike onto the post.
Atalanta’s first big chance came around the 20th minute when Davide Zappacosta fired a low volley that grazed the far post.
After dominating the first half, Lazio were rewarded in the 27th minute when Nicolo Rovella sent a long pass to Dele-Bashiru, who broke into the box and scored with a bouncing volley to open the scoring.
“The biggest chances came in the second half. If we had scored earlier we would have had more opportunities to turn things around after a very difficult first half where Lazio deserved their lead,” Gasperini told streaming services DAZN.
“We couldn’t manage their intensity, with all their players pressing hard. We had difficulty recovering the ball. On their goal, they were faster than us in midfield. It took us a while to find our rhythm. Partly because of our shortcomings and largely thanks to their quality, we suffered a lot in the first half. Then in the second half we played a different game. »
After Lazio’s goal, Atalanta gradually took the measure of the match, with Ademola Lookman forcing the hosts’ goalkeeper, Ivan Provedel, into a fingertip save shortly after the hour mark.
Lazio could have sealed the match when a cross from a counterattack went through the still reorganizing Atalanta defense, but Boulaye Dia failed to touch the ball, despite missing marking in front of goal.
Atalanta could have equalized a few minutes later when from a corner, Lookman, alone in front of goal, saw his shot cleared on the line by defender Luca Pellegrini.
The thrilling finish to the match continued as Dia found an opportunity to double Lazio’s lead soon after, sending a powerful strike towards Carnesecchi, who managed to push it away.
The visitors equalized when Brescianini easily scored into an open goal two minutes from time, after Lookman served it in from the left, past Provedel.
“It was a difficult match, the first half was very complicated for us, but we fought and another day we might have won the game. We drew today, but we didn’t lose, so that’s positive,” Lookman commented to Sky Sports Italia.
“The club has had a fantastic 2024 season, so we want to continue the momentum and hope the new year is even better. »
This match highlights the current dynamics of the two teams in Serie A. The talent and determination of Lazio against the solidity of Atalanta paints an interesting competitive picture. What lessons will these teams learn from this match for future meetings? The tactical adjustments and mentality of the players will also be crucial to follow over the coming days.
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