Atalanta secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Empoli at the Gewiss Stadium on Sunday, leapfrogging Napoli to reclaim top spot in Serie A.
The win, which saw reigning African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere both on the scoresheet, left the Bergamo side with a two-point lead over second-placed Napoli.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions as Empoli, who sit 11th in the standings, took the lead early on in the 13th minute. Lorenzo Colombo’s close-range strike gave the visitors a surprise advantage.
However, Atalanta quickly responded, with De Ketelaere scoring the equalizer in the 34th minute. The Belgian midfielder found the back of the net with a composed finish to level the score at 1-1.
As the first half came to a close, Lookman put Atalanta ahead. The Nigerian forward, recently crowned African Player of the Year, netted his 12th goal of the season in all competitions, scoring just before the referee blew for the break.
The goal came in added time, following a neat assist from teammate Davide Zappacosta. Empoli was not to be outdone, and in the 57th minute, they pulled level once more.
Sebastiano Esposito converted a penalty following a controversial handball decision against Atalanta’s defender, restoring parity at 2-2.
With both teams hungry for the three points, the game looked destined for a draw, which would have kept Atalanta at the top on goal difference, but the hosts had other plans.
In the 86th minute, De Ketelaere once again emerged as the hero. The 23-year-old calmly glided along the edge of the penalty box, waiting for an opening.
When the opportunity arrived, he took a clever shot with his left foot, which whizzed past the Empoli goalkeeper and into the net, sending the Atalanta supporters into jubilation.
Atalanta’s manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, was pleased with the resilience shown by his side in what was a dramatic encounter.
The win marked a crucial moment in the season, with Atalanta regaining their place at the summit of Serie A after Napoli briefly edged ahead following their 2-1 win over Genoa the previous day.
While Atalanta celebrated their return to the top, Empoli’s resilience in the match would not go unnoticed, as the Tuscan side showed they could compete with one of Italy’s top teams.
Despite the defeat, Empoli displayed attacking quality, with Colombo and Esposito both making significant contributions.
The victory further solidifies Atalanta’s position as a genuine title contender in Serie A this season. Lookman’s continued form and De Ketelaere’s match-winning ability are proving to be key factors in the team’s success.
In other Serie A action, Roma bounced back from their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Como by securing a dominant win over Parma in the Italian capital. Roma’s response was emphatic, easing fears of relegation after a brief spell near the drop zone.
