Chances galore, but it’s a 1-1 draw against Torino
Djimsiti gave Atalanta the temporary lead
On a day highlighted by Scamacca's long-awaited return to the Gewiss Stadium crowd six months after his ACL injury, the MD23 match against Torino ended in a 1-1 draw: despite the black-and-blue barrage (with 22 shots fired, 10 on target), the Nerazzurri couldn't find the breakthrough.
After an even start, the Nerazzurri had the ball in the net on 21 minutes, but Bellanova's goal was disallowed by the VAR for a handball in the build-up. The Nerazzurri piled on the pressure and De Ketelaere threatened with a cross-shot before Djimsiti nodded in Bellanova's corner on 35 minutes to give Atalanta the lead. Another set-piece helped the visitors equalise on 40 minutes through Maripan's header from a free-kick. The Nerazzurri came close to regaining the lead in the final minutes of the first half, with Brescianini going close on two occasions.
Going pedal to the medal, the second half saw the Nerazzurri pull out all stoplights to turn the tables on Torino: after their 57-minute appeal for a Coco handball in the box fell on deaf ears, Atalanta took the matter into their own hands as Cuadrado challenged Milinkovic-Savic from range twice. In with a golden chance to take the lead once again on 74 minutes after being brought down by Tameze in the penalty area, Retegui got his spot-kick parried by Milinkovic-Savic. On 79 minutes Pašalić made it more about power than precision and sent his volley off target. The Croatian had another go in the 81st, nodding too straight down the middle, and in the 84th (deflected by the opposing defence). In the closing stages, Scamacca made his comeback six months after his ACL knee injury. The Nerazzurri number 9, barely on the field, wasted no time and threatened with a header, saved by Milinkovic-Savic. Despite Atalanta's relentless forcing the Gewiss Stadium game culminated in a 1-1 draw.
ATALANTA 1-1 TORINO
Scorers: Djimsiti 35 (A), Maripan 40 (T)
Atalanta: Rui Patrício, Djimsiti, Hien, Kolašinac (Toloi 31), Bellanova, de Roon, Éderson, Ruggeri (Cuadrado 57), Brescianini (Samardžić 57), De Ketelaere (Pašalić 57), Retegui (Scamacca 85). Unused bench Bench: Rossi, Sulemana, Cassa, Palestra, Obrić. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Torino: Milinkovic-Savic, Pedersen (Walukiewicz 46), Maripan, Coco, Sosa, Ricci, Tameze (Gineitis 76), Lazaro (Masina 85), Vlasic, Karamoh (Njie 63), Adams (Sanabria 63). Unused bench: Paleari, Donnarumma, Dembelé, Ciammaglichella, Linetty, Yesin. Coach: Paolo Vanoli.
Referee: Marco Piccinini from Forlì;
Assistant referees: Filippo Bercigli from Firenze and Khaled Bahri from Sassari;
Fourth official: Daniele Perenzoni from Rovereto;
V.A.R. Ivano Pezzuto from Lecce;
A.V.A.R. Aleandro Di Paolo from Avezzano.
Notes: on 74 minutes Milinkovic-Savic (T) denied Retegui from the penalty spot (A); Coco (T), Tameze (T) and Milinkovic-Savic (T) booked