Atalanta ended their two game winless run, beating Sampdoria 3-1 meaning they leapfrogged Roma into a champions league spot in Serie A.
Having lost two out of their last three fixtures after an initial strong start to the season, Atalanta were looking to get back on track against a struggling Sampdoria side lying 15th in Serie A. The visitors almost got off to the perfect start, missing two golden opportunities within the first five minutes, both Duván Zapata and Joakim Mæhle sloppily putting their attempts wide.
Atalanta were promptly made to pay for their wastefulness as ten minutes in, Morten Thorsby’s defence-splitting pass put Francesco Caputo through on goal to supply a cool finish into the bottom corner, giving ‘ I Blucerchiati’ a surprise 1-0 lead.
Sampdoria’s celebrations didn’t last long as six minutes later Atalanta equalised, Davide Zappacosta found Zapata at the near post who’s header cruelly deflected off Kristoffer Askildsen and in for an unfortunate own goal.
Zappacosta and Zapata were proving to be a lethal combination as a few minutes later Zappacosta’s cross once again found the Colombian striker who’s header this time gave the keeper no chance, making it 2-1 to Atalanta after only 20 minutes. Caputo had a wonderful opportunity to equalise deep into the second half but was denied by a superb Juan Musso save to keep his side ahead at HT.
The second-half proved to be a very open affair. However, both sides struggled to create any clear cut chances, the game instead turning scrappy with referee Alessandro Prontera dishing out seven yellow cards. The game turned into a very open affair, perhaps realising that Atalanta had dropped points in the final moments of their last two outings, Sampdoria continued to push for an equaliser, but it was Atalanta who sealed the win through a piece of Josip Iličić magic, the veteran striker danced past two players before smashing it into the top corner to extend his sides lead. The 3-1 win means Atalanta climb into fourth place, Sampdoria remain in 15th just two points ahead of the relegation zone.
Any link buliding on our comment section will be make as spam.