Atalanta added to Cagliari’s agonizing return to Serie A with a comfortable 2-0 win at the Gewiss Stadium on Sunday afternoon. La Dea recovered from last week’s disappointing 3-2 defeat at Fiorentina with a relatively routine home triumph.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s men maintained their aura of invincibility in Bergamo with another impressive display. After beating Monza and Rakow via an aggregate score of 5-0 in their first two competitive home games of the season, Atalanta put Cagliari to the sword courtesy of goals scored on either side of halftime.
Milan loanee Charles De Ketelaere thought he had netted his third goal for Atalanta when he struck home in the 23rd minute. But much to his disappointment, the flag immediately went up for offside. It only delayed the inevitable as Atalanta claimed a well-deserved lead only ten minutes later.
De Ketelaere turned from a scorer into a provider, delivering an assist to Ademola Lookman, who tapped the ball into an empty net to put Atalanta in front. Cagliari might have considered themselves lucky for trailing by a single-goal margin at halftime after conceding multiple clear-cut chances.
Claudio Ranieri’s men went into the second half in a different mood, trying to get back into the game with an early equalizer. However, they couldn’t architect a single opportunity. Atalanta looked satisfied with the lead, yet they sought their chances on the break. One such came in the 76th minute.
Luis Muriel dispatched Mario Pasalic into space with a teasing through ball, with the Croatia international smashing it off the post and into the net with a top-class finish. The midfielder’s goal put the game beyond Cagliari’s reach and sealed another three points for Atalanta.
 |
Follow us on Google News for more updates on Serie A and Italian football |