Fiorentina and Atalanta put on a show at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday evening, but only one manager went home happy. Despite falling behind early on, Vincenzo Italiano’s men showed fighting spirit and determination to topple La Dea 3-2 in an enthralling Serie A fixture.
Fresh off a 3-0 mauling of Monza before the international break, Atalanta came flying out of the traps as Teun Koopmeiners opened the scoring in the 20th minute with an inch-perfect first-time finish from the edge of the box. The Dutchman’s opener woke up Fiorentina, who grew into the contest and started knocking on Marco Carnesecchi’s goal.
Italiano’s team found the equalizer through ex-Atalanta midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura, who scored a stunning half-volley from inside the box in the 35th minute. Lucas Martinez Quarta completed the turnaround with a thumping header seconds before the break.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side got things back to square one eight minutes into the second half. Ademola Lookman breezed past his markers and unleashed an unstoppable low shot past Pietro Terracciano to open his account in 2023/24.
With neither side pulling the plug on their attacking ambitions, the game could’ve gone either way. Fiorentina were more fortuitous as second-half substitute Cristian Koumae poked home from inside the six-yard box to give Italiano’s men a crucial three points.
After a dismal 4-0 defeat at Inter last time out, Fiorentina desperately needed three points here to set themselves up for the upcoming Europa Conference League challenges. On the other hand, after suffering their second defeat in three Serie A games, Atalanta may find Rakow’s Europa League visit to Bergamo next week as a welcoming distraction.
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