The climb goes on: Nerazzurro blitz at the Olimpico!
Éderson and Zalewski seal the win in Rome
With a goal in each half, the Nerazzurri claimed a crucial win at the Olimpico stadium. Running out 2-0 winners in Rome, Atalanta secured heir second consecutive league triumph and third overall when including their Coppa Italia success, moving up to sixth place with 42 points.
The first real chance fell to the Nerazzurri as Zalewski breezed past Provedel and teed up Krstović in the heart of the box. Provstgaard was equal to it, though, rising to tip the Montenegrin striker’s effort over the bar and keep the score level. On 21 minutes, Atalanta went close again as Ahanor's header drifted wide of the target. Lazio responded six minutes later when Taylor made a dangerous run into the box, only for Carnesecchi to be alert and tip his effort onto the post. The deadlock finally broke in the 41st minute: a neat one-two between Zappacosta and Krstović ended with the Nerazzurri’s cross being blocked by Cataldi’s hand in the box, handing Atalanta a penalty. From the spot, Éderson sent Provedel the wrong way giving Atalanta the lead.
The second half got underway with a fine save from Carnesecchi on Noslin's header in the 53rd minute. The Nerazzurri then doubled their lead 6 minutes later with Zalewski, who picked up Bernasconi's pass before homing his right-footed curler into the bottom corner and past Provedel. On 76 minutes Carnesecchi was equal to it once again, denying Maldini’s free-kick. The Nerazzurri were forced to finish with ten men after Raspadori went down injured, having already used all their substitutions. In the 89th minute, Ratkov’s header rattled the post, denying Lazio a late lifeline. The match at the Stadio Olimpico ended 2-0 for Atalanta.
LAZIO 0-2 ATALANTA
Scorers: Éderson 41 pen (A), Zalewski 60 (A).
Lazio: Provedel, Marusic, Gila (Patric 46), Provstgaard, Nuno Tavares, Dele-Bashiru, Cataldi (Rovella 68), Taylor (Cancellieri 79), Isaksen (Dia 88), Maldini, Noslin (Ratkov 68). Unused Bench: Motta, Furlanetto, Pellegrini, Belahyane, Hysaj, Przyborek, Farcomeni. Coach: Maurizio Sarri.
Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Scalvini (Kossounou 46), Djimsiti, Ahanor (Kolašinac 25), Zappacosta (Bellanova 83), De Roon, Éderson, Bernasconi, Samardžić (Raspadori 46), Krstović, Zalewski (Kamaldeen 70). Unused Bench: Rossi, Sportiello, Hien, Bakker, Musah, Pašalić, Scamacca. Coach: Raffaele Palladino.
Referee: Juan Luca Sacchi from Macerata;
Assistant referees: Giuseppe Perrotti from Campobasso and Paolo Laudato from Taranto;
Fourth official: Marco Di Bello from Brindisi;
V.A.R.: Aleandro Di Paolo from Avezzano;
A.V.A.R.: Matteo Gariglio from Pinerolo.
Notes: Scalvini (A), Ahanor (A), Bernasconi (A), Taylor (L) and Djimsiti (A) booked