the Dea continues its run in the championship

Gasperini on the pitch with the trident De Ketelaere-Scamacca-Lookman, while Gilardino relied on the attacking pair Ekuban-Gudmundsson. The hosts were hunting for victory to try to remain anchored in the Champions League zone, with an eye on the next matches in the Cups, while Genoa was looking for points to move away as much as possible from the lower areas of the table and regain confidence.

And there was also a challenge on the bench between Gilardino and Gasperini, former rossoblù coach now on the sidelines for the Nerazzurri.

A blocked first half. Few emotions. Both teams sniff each other, dribble but in the end fail to create important opportunities to score. The rossoblù’s defense was good. The hosts try to finish but without success. Thirty minutes in balance without too much incisiveness. In the 27th minute De Roon had an opportunity from the right midfield with the ball which was blocked to the ground by Leali. In the 37th minute Sabelli throws towards the center of the opponent’s area, where Gudmundsson, despite the opponent’s marking, tries to get to the ball first, but his right-footed shot ends up well over the crossbar. Missed opportunity also for Scamacca who tries to shoot diagonally right, but Leali is not surprised and blocks the ball on the ground. The home team had more possession of the ball, but the first half ended goalless.

The second half begins. Atalanta enters the field with the desire to score. In the 48th minute Scalvini’s header hits the woodwork and “crosses” the goal without ever finishing over the line. Scamacca also came close to taking the lead with a back heel, after a pass into the area by Miranchuk, but Leali dived in and said no. And it is always up to the Genoa goalkeeper to save the result even in the 64th minute from a crossed shot from Lookman. In the 66th minute an excellent reflex from Carnesecchi arrived to protect his players from Dragusin’s header. But Atalanta persisted and scored in the 69th minute with Lookman. The referee requests VAR control for a possible handball by the attacker. And finally the network is validated. The home team leads 1-0. The stadium explodes. La Dea continues to attack while Genoa tries to repel the attacks. And we get to 90’+6′ of recovery. In the 95th minute, Éderson doubled the lead and, after an exchange with Pasalic, threw it in with his right foot. VAR check for possible offside by the player. But the goal is confirmed. And it ends 2-0 for the hosts. A half that saw Gasperini’s men always in control of the match. Fifth victory in the championship and sixth position for Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta, while Genoa remains stuck on 8 points.

On the eve

At Dea returns to Serie A with a pressing calendar, between the championship and the Europa League: next Thursday the 26th against Sturm Graz in Austria, Empoli, then Inter and Sturm again at home. In the championship, the Orobics come from the defeat against Lazio 3-2, but also from the victory against Sporting in Europe and the draw with Juve. Priority objectives in both fields: in Europe to obtain qualification and in the championship to avoid losing the connection with the top of the table.

Genoa away after the heavy defeat at home against Milan, which allowed the Rossoneri to reach the top of the table and overtake Inter. Mr. Gilardino’s team has not achieved much so far: only 8 points which place them in 15th place. Newly promoted Genoa needs a positive result, not only with a view to saving the championship, but also to gain confidence in view of the commitment in the Italian Cup.