Atalanta surged again to the highest of the Serie A standings with a Charles De Ketelaere-inspired 3-2 win at house to Empoli on Sunday, whereas inconsistent Roma thrashed Parma 5-0.
De Ketelaere was twice heading in the right direction for Atalanta within the topsy-turvy encounter — his second aim proving to be the winner with simply 4 minutes left on the clock.
Ademola Lookman was additionally on the scoresheet to make sure Gian Piero Gasperini’s aspect received their Eleventh consecutive match within the league and leapfrogged Napoli again into high spot for the Christmas interval.
“It has been an exquisite 12 months, we’re sorry it is ending, let’s hope that 2025 might be simply nearly as good,” Gasperini informed DAZN.
“It will not be straightforward, however past the outcomes I am very proud of the spirit that there’s on this workforce.”
The reigning Europa League champions restored their two-point buffer over Napoli, who had moved a degree forward of them following their 2-1 win at Genoa on Saturday.
Lorenzo Colombo gave Eleventh-placed Empoli the lead on the Gewiss Stadium on 13 minutes.
Issues obtained worse for Atalanta when Mateo Retegui, the highest scorer within the league, was compelled off with a muscular harm within the twenty first minute — casting a doubt over his availability for coming matches.
However De Ketelaere hit again to degree for the Bergamo-based outfit 4 minutes after the half-hour.
Just lately topped African participant of the 12 months, Lookman obtained his twelfth aim of the season in all competitions to place Atalanta in entrance in first-half added time.
Sebastiano Esposito pegged again Atalanta on 57 minutes, changing from the penalty spot.
As the sport crept in the direction of a disappointing draw that will have nonetheless despatched Atalanta again high on aim distinction, Belgian midfielder De Ketelaere popped up together with his fifth league aim this time period within the 86th minute.
The 23-year-old confirmed talent and composure to glide alongside the sting of the field till an opportunity introduced itself, and he then fired off a disguised left-footed shot which flashed previous the goalkeeper.
“Immediately we suffered a bit, however at all times after targets we reacted and tried to win,” mentioned De Ketelaere.
“It is December and it isn’t even over but, we’re comfortable the place we’re however each sport is troublesome and we proceed.”
– ‘Actual Roma’ –
Roma bounced again from final weekend’s shock 2-0 loss at Como, which had left Claudio Ranieri’s aspect inside two factors of the drop zone, to thump Parma within the Italian capital.
Paulo Dybala hit a brace, with targets additionally coming from Alexis Saelemaekers, Leandro Paredes and Artem Dovbyk as Roma moved to tenth place.
“Crucial factor was the factors. We needed to present that the workforce seen in opposition to Como was not the true Roma, we needed to do extra,” Saelemaekers informed DAZN.
Parma stay one level above the drop zone in sixteenth spot.
Dybala transformed a penalty and Saelemaekers slammed house a volley to provide the house aspect a 2-0 lead contained in the opening quarter of an hour.
The Argentinian netted his second six minutes after the break. Paredes then scored from 12 yards within the 74th minute and Ukrainian striker Dovbyk put the cherry on high for the Romans with seven minutes remaining.
Venezia climbed off the underside of the desk with an important 2-1 house win over fellow strugglers Cagliari.
The consequence leaves Cagliari 18th on 14 factors, one forward of Venezia, with Monza propping up the standings with 10 factors after defeat at house to Juventus.
Juventus maintained their unbeaten standing in Serie A by seeing off the underside aspect 2-1 because of first-half strikes from Weston McKennie and Nicolas Gonzalez.
The Outdated Woman stay sixth on 31 factors as they received for the primary time within the league since early November following 4 consecutive attracts.
They’re degree on factors with fifth-placed Fiorentina, however the Tuscans can go clear once more after they tackle Udinese on Monday.
Champions Inter Milan, in third on 34 factors, host Como later that day.
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