Serie A – Atalanta vs Napoli: Every game following the international break is a must-win for Napoli. Considering they are in an intense title race. As for Atalanta, a win on Sunday could have put them into one of the UEFA competitions spots.
The Neapolitans were on the front foot right from the get-go as they scored twice before halftime through Insigne and Politano. The hosts could not get anything going for them in that period and in all honesty throughout the Sunday fixture.
De Roon’s goal in the 58th minute did create an uncomfortable atmosphere at the Gewiss Stadium for the visitors. However, Elmas sealed the three points with his 81st-minute goal.
Following the result, Napoli are level on points with Milan who have a game in hand. Atalanta meanwhile are a point behind the Conference League spot, with a game in hand over them.
Serie A – Atalanta vs Napoli: Match summary
Full-time score: Atalanta 1-3 Napoli (HT: 0-2)
Atalanta: Musso; Scalvini, Palomino, Djimsiti (Maehele 63), Hateboer (Miranchuk 46), De Roon, Freuler (Pasalic 83), Zappacosta, Koopmeiners, Malinovskyi (Boga 46), Muriel (Cisse 83).
Napoli: Ospina; Zanoli, Koulibaly, Juan Jesus, Mario Rui; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski (Fabian Ruiz 69), Politano (Elmas 59), Mertens (Malcuit 88), Insigne (Lozano 69).
Scorers: Insigne 14, Politano 37, De Roon 58, Elmas 81
Booked: Ospina, Lozano, De Roon.
Managers’ reactions
Atalanta head coach, Gian Piero Gasperini: “We had to risk the counter-attack at that stage, we needed to give it our all and were unbalanced. We did not deserve to be 2-0 down at the break, that was hard to recover from.
“The goalkeeper came out a bit too quickly on the penalty, while on the second goal we were caught napping for the free kick.
“It’s a pity, as we played well overall and that was not easy against this Napoli. Clearly, a Champions League spot becomes difficult now, even though we have a game in hand. The worry is when you lose games of this level that you play so well.”
Napoli head coach, Luciano Spalletti: “We have come out of difficult situations this season, but at this point here, there is no turning back.
“We suffered again today, at the beginning of both halves, [but] the team began to turn and even when Atalanta responded, the team did not disunite, on the contrary, we went in search of the third goal, which shows how we have grown.
“There is still a long way to go, because we have lost too many points at home and we cannot let our guard down.
“What these guys have understood is that they are playing for the happiness of a city.”
