Of
Marina Belotti
Eleventh victory in a row for Atalanta, who first overcame the initial deficit and then, having conceded Empoli's equalizer on Esposito's penalty, celebrated with a magic from De Ketelaere. Gasperini takes the lead again
Christmas at the top. These are the best holidays ever for Atalantawho lives them as leaders. The eleventh victory in a row in Serie A is worth the counter-overtaking of Napoli and the famous quota of 40 always claimed by Percassi which, achieved close to the panettone, will now impose other objectives: «You just need to maintain this energy and mentality», says Gasperini at the end of the race. Empoli closes Atalanta well and surrenders only to the imagination of De Ketelaere who wraps the presents under the tree with speed, flair and ingenuity: with the double he reached 10 goals for the season, of which 8 were scored in the last 7 matcheswith an incredible state of shape. Unlike Retegui, who was immediately out due to a muscle strain in the quadriceps of his left thigh.
Fans in delirium with the Nerazzurri poncho to dribble the water like Lookman Goglichidze dribbles in the halfway goal that ruins Napoli's Sunday. The Gewiss Stadium, festively decorated for the Christmas Match, is imprinted on the players' special match shirts, which will be sold in a charity auction. Gasperini, awarded coach of the month by the League in Novemberfor the first time he has to do without the pillar De Roon (suspended) in a looser midfield. D'Aversa with Cacace in defense in his 3-5-2 takes away freedom of maneuver. Lookman brings the African Ballon d'Or to Bergamo, but he needs time to get back down to earth. He's not the only one, Atalanta are inattentive in front of the Tuscans wearing bandages. On a simple throw-in, the Nerazzurri forget about Henderson who serves Colombo, capable of scoring with his left foot.
It is De Ketelaere who leads his team to a comeback: after taking the free kick onto the head of Kolasinac who chipped the post, he towered over Cacace and scored from Zappacosta's cross. The team charges forward, it's De Ketelaere again with a free kick to serve Djimsiti, who heads the second post of the match. Before the break Lookman plays the ninth (net) in A, surpassing Goglichidze and Grassi on the cue of the usual De Ketelaere and header from a Zaniolo first striker version. In the second half, however, D'Aversa wants to equalize: the former Grassi invades the area, Djimsiti with a kick gives Esposito the penalty and his 7th goal of the season. The heart, head and leg of De Ketelaere are still needed, as he frees himself from half the defense and unleashes an uncatchable left-footed low shot. «It was extraordinary, it's in trust, it's a guarantee.” Gasp praises him.
December 22, 2024 (changed December 22, 2024 | 9:30 pm)
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