Atalanta reclaimed their position at the top of Serie A through a dramatic 3-2 victory over Empoli, with Nigerian international Ademola Lookman continuing his stellar form by adding another goal to his impressive season tally. The pulsating encounter at the Gewiss Stadium saw Charles De Ketelaere emerge as the hero with a late winner.
Fresh from being crowned African Footballer of the Year, Lookman demonstrated why he’s considered one of Serie A’s most dangerous attackers by notching his 12th goal of the season across all competitions. His strike, coming just before halftime, proved crucial in helping Atalanta establish a two-point lead over second-placed Napoli.
The match began with Empoli taking a surprise lead through Lorenzo Colombo in the 13th minute, but Atalanta’s response showcased their championship credentials. De Ketelaere equalized with a well-taken finish four minutes after the half-hour mark, setting the stage for Lookman’s go-ahead goal in first-half stoppage time.
The drama continued after the break when Sebastiano Esposito converted a penalty to draw Empoli level, threatening to derail Atalanta’s title aspirations. However, De Ketelaere’s brilliant individual effort in the 86th minute, showcasing exceptional skill and composure, secured all three points for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.
Meanwhile, Roma bounced back emphatically from their surprising defeat to Como with a commanding 5-0 victory over struggling Parma. The win, featuring a double from Paulo Dybala and goals from Alexis Saelemaekers, Leandro Paredes, and Artem Dovbyk, lifted Claudio Ranieri’s team to tenth place.
The significance of Lookman’s contribution to Atalanta’s success cannot be understated. The Nigerian forward has become an integral part of Gasperini’s attacking system, consistently delivering crucial goals and performances that have helped propel the Bergamo-based club to the summit of Italian football.
Atalanta’s victory maintains their impressive momentum in both domestic and European competitions, with their Europa League triumph adding to their growing reputation as one of Italy’s most exciting teams. Their ability to overcome adversity, as demonstrated in this match, suggests they have the mental fortitude required for a serious title challenge.
The win takes on added importance considering Napoli’s victory over Genoa the previous day, which had temporarily displaced Atalanta from top spot. The response from Gasperini’s men shows their determination to mount a serious challenge for their first-ever Serie A title.
In the day’s other notable action, Venezia secured a crucial 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Cagliari, climbing off the bottom of the table. Goals from Francesco Zampano and Marin Sverko proved decisive, despite Leonardo Pavoletti’s late consolation for the visitors.
As the Serie A season approaches its halfway point, Atalanta’s position at the summit represents a remarkable achievement for a club traditionally overshadowed by Italy’s more established powers. With Lookman in such prolific form and De Ketelaere emerging as a match-winner, they have established themselves as genuine contenders for the Scudetto.
The focus now shifts to whether they can maintain this impressive form throughout the season, with Juventus and other traditional powerhouses sure to mount serious challenges in the coming months. However, based on their current performances, Atalanta has proven they have the quality and resilience to compete at the highest level of Italian football.
