Atalanta surged again to the highest of the Serie A standings with a Charles De Ketelaere-inspired 3-2 win at residence to Empoli on Sunday, whereas inconsistent Roma thrashed Parma 5-0. De Ketelaere was twice on track for Atalanta within the topsy-turvy encounter — his second purpose 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 facet received their Eleventh consecutive match within the league and leapfrogged Napoli again into prime spot for the Christmas interval.
“It’s been an exquisite 12 months, we’re sorry it is ending, let’s hope that 2025 will likely be simply pretty much as good,” Gasperini instructed DAZN.
“It will not be straightforward, however past the outcomes I’m very proud of the spirit that there’s on this group.”
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.
Things obtained worse for Atalanta when Mateo Retegui, the highest scorer within the league, was pressured off with a muscular harm within the twenty first minute — casting a doubt over his availability for coming matches.
But De Ketelaere hit again to stage for the Bergamo-based outfit 4 minutes after the half-hour.
Recently topped African participant of the 12 months, Lookman obtained his twelfth purpose 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 might have nonetheless despatched Atalanta again prime on purpose distinction, Belgian midfielder De Ketelaere popped up together with his fifth league purpose this time period within the 86th minute.
The 23-year-old confirmed ability 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.
“Today we suffered a bit, however at all times after targets we reacted and tried to win,” stated De Ketelaere.
“It’s December and it is not even over but, we’re completely satisfied the place we’re however each sport is tough and we proceed.”
‘Real Roma’
Roma bounced again from final weekend’s shock 2-0 loss at Como, which had left Claudio Ranieri’s facet 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.
“The most vital factor was the factors. We needed to present that the group seen towards Como was not the true Roma, we needed to do extra,” Saelemaekers instructed DAZN.
Parma stay one level above the drop zone in sixteenth spot.
Dybala transformed a penalty and Saelemaekers slammed residence a volley to offer the house facet 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 prime for the Romans with seven minutes remaining.
Venezia climbed off the underside of the desk with an important 2-1 residence 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 residence to Juventus.
Juventus maintained their unbeaten standing in Serie A by seeing off the underside facet 2-1 due to first-half strikes from Weston McKennie and Nicolas Gonzalez.
The Old Lady stay sixth on 31 factors as they received for the primary time within the league since early November following 4 consecutive attracts.
They are stage on factors with fifth-placed Fiorentina, however the Tuscans can go clear once more once they tackle Udinese on Monday.
Champions Inter Milan, in third on 34 factors, host Como later that day.
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