Atalanta sees their winning streak end with a 1-1 draw at Lazio

LesNews – Atalanta's Serie A winning streak ended with a 1-1 draw against Lazio on Saturday. 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 Gian Piero Gasperini's side remain at the top of the table with 41 points, one point ahead of Inter Milan, who won their match against Cagliari 3 -0 earlier today. Lazio ranks fourth with 35 points.

From the start of the match, Lazio displayed an offensive intention. Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi had to make a decisive save against a double opportunity from Valentin Castellanos, followed by a long-range attempt from Matteo Guendouzi which hit the post.

Atalanta's first big chance came around the 20th minute, when Davide Zappacosta attempted a low shot that grazed the far post. Despite clearly dominating the first half, Lazio finally rewarded their efforts in the 27th minute. Nicolo Rovella delivered an aerial pass to Dele-Bashiru, who dribbled inside the area before rattling the net with an extended shot.

“The most important chances came in the second half. If we had scored earlier we would have had a better chance of turning things around after a very difficult first half where Lazio deserved their lead,” Gasperini told streaming services DAZN.

“We couldn't cope with their intensity, with all their players pressing vigorously. We had difficulty recovering the ball. On their goal, they were faster than us in midfield. It took us a while to find our bearings. Part of the difficulties come from our shortcomings and largely from their quality. We suffered a lot in the first half. Then, in the second half, we played differently. »

After Lazio's goal, Atalanta began to come to their senses, with Ademola Lookman forcing goalkeeper Ivan Provedel into a fingertip save just after the hour mark. Lazio could have sealed the match when a cross on a counterattack went through the Atalanta defense, but Boulaye Dia was unable to target his attempt, left alone in front of the goal.

Atalanta almost equalized a few minutes later when an unmarked Lookman saw his attempt at a corner cleared off the line by defender Luca Pellegrini. In a thrilling final act, Dia had an opportunity to double Lazio's lead, but his powerful strike was saved by Carnesecchi.

The visitors finally got their equalizer when Brescianini scored an easy goal two minutes from time, after a serve from Lookman, who had flown past Provedel.

“It was a difficult match, the first half was very complicated for us, but we fought and, in other times, we could have won. We drew today, but we didn't lose, so that's positive,” Lookman told Sky Sports Italia.

“The club has had a fantastic 2024, so we want to continue that momentum, and we hope the new year will be even better. »