Atalanta continued their impressive run of form with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory against Udinese, propelling them to the top of the Serie A table. This marks their sixth consecutive win in the league, following recent successes against Napoli and Stuttgart in domestic and European competitions respectively.
The match began with both teams creating early chances, with goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Marco Carnesecchi called into action. Atalanta thought they had taken the lead through Mateo Retegui, but the goal was disallowed due to Ademola Lookman’s offside position.
Udinese broke the deadlock just before halftime when Hassane Kamara exploited space on the left flank to score a stunning long-range effort. However, Atalanta responded strongly after the break. Mario Pasalic equalized with a well-executed finish from a Raoul Bellanova cross, and the turnaround was complete when Isaak Toure inadvertently deflected another Bellanova delivery into his own net.
Despite the victory, Atalanta’s injury list continues to grow. Berat Djimsiti and Davide Zappacosta were forced off during the match, while Nicolò Zaniolo also suffered a muscular issue late in the game. These setbacks add to the existing absences of Charles De Ketelaere, Sead Kolasinac, Giorgio Scalvini, and Gianluca Scamacca.
As Atalanta celebrate their ascent to the top of Serie A, manager Gian Piero Gasperini will be concerned about the mounting injury toll and its potential impact on the team’s continued success in both domestic and European competitions.
Goals: Kamara 45 (U), Pasalic 56 (A), Touré og 61 (A)
Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Djimsiti (24′ Ederson); Zappacosta (46′ Bellanova), De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Samardzic (68′ Brescianini); Retegui (68′ Zaniolo – ’87’ Cuadrado -), Lookman
Udinese (3-5-2): Okoye; Giannetti (dal 77′ Abankwah), Bijol, Touré; Ehizibue, Lovric (dal 60′ Zarraga), Karlstrom, Payero, Kamara (dal 67′ Zemura); Thauvin (dal 67′ Lucca), Davis (dal 77′ Iker Bravo).
