Atalanta missed the prospect to maneuver provisionally prime of Serie A on Saturday after being held to a goalless draw at Udinese which left them two factors behind league leaders Napoli.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s facet would have moved above Napoli, who host Verona on Sunday, on purpose distinction with a win in Udine however have been a great distance from their good finest.
“They have been higher than us, extra intense than us. We struggled the entire first half and have been fortunate,” stated Gasperini to DAZN.
“We have been a bit higher within the second half however in the long run it is a first rate level.”
Saturday’s draw means Inter Milan can take second place from Atalanta if the reigning champions win at Venezia on Sunday afternoon as a three-way title race hots up.
On account of their Italian Tremendous Cup bid in Saudi Arabia Atalanta have a sport in hand in opposition to Juventus in Bergamo on Tuesday night, after which they host Napoli subsequent weekend.
Atalanta, gunning for his or her first ever Serie A title, created little or no in Udine and have been the truth is fortunate to not be crushed by the spirited hosts, who ought to have taken the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Alexis Sanchez hit the woodwork twice inside a matter of moments proper earlier than the break, first with a header earlier than smashing the rebound in opposition to the bar.
Goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi may hardly imagine his luck when Sandi Lovric headed the second rebound straight at him and allowed Atalanta to get away with a sub-par show within the opening interval.
The away facet improved within the second half however did little in opposition to an Udinese staff comfortably positioned in mid-table after three straight attracts.
Ought to two groups end degree on factors on the prime of Serie A come the top of the season they’ll face off in a single match to resolve the vacation spot of the Scudetto.
Later Sergio Conceicao makes his San Siro debut as AC Milan coach in opposition to struggling Cagliari after guiding his new membership to victory within the Italian Tremendous Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Conceicao has modified the ambiance round Milan since changing Paulo Fonseca earlier this month and is charged with re-igniting his new staff’s bid for Champions League qualification.
Milan sit eighth after a dismal first half of the marketing campaign which has left the seven-time European champions 17 factors behind Napoli.
Juventus tackle native rivals Torino making an attempt to shut the four-point hole separating them from fourth-placed Lazio who have been held to a 1-1 draw by Como on Friday evening.
Nikola Krstovic boosted Lecce’s survival hopes with a brace in a 3-1 win at Empoli which moved Marco Giampaolo’s staff three factors above the relegation zone.
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