The Nigerian striker, with a goal and an assist, allows Atalanta to come back against Fiorentina in a spectacular first half
Goals, posts, mistakes, emotions—everything and more: Atalanta-Fiorentina was a match for the strong-hearted. In the end, the Bergamaschi managed to win (3-2) with a display of pride and turned it around after being in a difficult position. Almost everything happened in the first half: Fiorentina went ahead twice (with Martinez Quarta and Kean) but was always equalized (by Retegui and De Ketelaere) and then submerged by Lookman. In the second half, Fiorentina disappeared from the field, and Atalanta had many counter-attack opportunities, all wasted. But the three points still came, and now Gasperini’s thoughts can turn to Arsenal in the Champions League (Thursday). Fiorentina appeared to be recovering, but conceding two goals in one minute is too great a sin, and so they have to swallow yet another bitter pill in a season that has so far lacked successes.
so many emotions
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Making their debut in the new home finally full, Atalanta starts with Ruggeri on the left and Lookman and De Ketelaere supporting Retegui. Fiorentina lines up in a 3-4-2-1 with Biraghi still among the three in defense and Colpani-Bove behind Kean. The match is lively, intense, and beautiful from the start. After eight minutes, Palladino’s team is threatening with a left from Mandragora: Carnesecchi punches it away. Shortly after, at the fifteen-minute mark, the Viola goes ahead: a headed effort from Gosens at close range, Carnesecchi does what he can to stop it but Martinez Quarta jumps on the ball and puts it in from two steps. Atalanta reacts and increases the pressure. The equalizer is a natural consequence: a splendid action on the left by Lookman who evades Bove and provides a perfect assist to Retegui, who heads past De Gea, making his debut in Serie A. Both teams seek a winning solution, and in the 32nd minute, it is Fiorentina again taking the lead: cross from the left by Mandragora and Kean, all alone in front of Carnesecchi, is unrelenting. Shortly after, it is Kean himself who nearly makes it 3-1: hitting the outside of the post. From that moment, the Viola disappears. And Atalanta is certainly not a team that waits: within a minute, they equalize with De Ketelaere (perfect header) and then take the lead thanks to a magic moment from Lookman.
in control
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Fiorentina returns to the field burdened by the disastrous end to the first half and at the start of the second half immediately risks conceding another: a lapse by Quarta, who is beaten by Bellanova, but De Gea manages to save it for a corner. Atalanta in the second half is master of the field, the ball moves faster, and the deeper position of De Roon (Hien out, Brescianini in) gives more solidity at the back. Palladino then brings on Ikoné and Richardson (Colpani and Mandragora out), but the music doesn’t change. In the second half, it is a different Fiorentina, less proactive and dynamic. In the 74th minute, Atalanta nearly scores a fourth goal with De Ketelaere, whose left-foot shot is saved by De Gea. Shortly after, Zappacosta, on the counterattack, weakly shoots towards the opponent’s goal. Atalanta wastes more chances with Lookman (twice) but manages to control until the end: the baptism of the new Gewiss Stadium turns into a complete celebration.