Napoli 3 – 2 Atalanta
In a high-voltage clash between two title contenders, Napoli conceded an early goal but showed incredible resilience to make a strong comeback. Atalanta refused to back down, turning the match into a dramatic, back-and-forth battle. Ultimately, Napoli emerged victorious with a 3-2 win.
The Serie A match, played on Saturday night at Atalanta’s home ground, saw the 2022-23 champions secure a thrilling victory.
Despite dominating possession and creating more chances, Atalanta fell short. They held the ball for over 55% of the game, took 15 shots, and hit the target six times. In contrast, Napoli made their opportunities count, scoring with all three of their shots on target.
Atalanta took an early lead in the 16th minute through Mateo Retegui. Napoli equalized in the 27th minute with a goal from Matteo Politano. The visitors then went ahead in the 40th minute, thanks to a goal by Scott McTominay.
In the second half, Ademola Lookman restored parity for Atalanta in the 55th minute, sparking hopes of extending their unbeaten streak. However, in the 78th minute, Romelu Lukaku struck the decisive goal for Napoli, which Atalanta couldn’t answer.
This defeat ended Atalanta’s 15-match unbeaten run, their last loss coming on September 24 against Como in a 3-2 game.
Interestingly, Atalanta had beaten Napoli 3-0 in their first meeting on November 3. This time, Napoli avenged that loss in style.
Napoli’s relentless pursuit of reclaiming the league crown continues with their sixth consecutive win. They now lead the table with 50 points from 21 matches, securing 16 wins and 2 draws. Inter Milan, with two games in hand, trails in second place with 44 points.
Atalanta, with the same number of matches as Napoli, is third with 43 points. This win not only strengthened Napoli’s grip on the top spot but also exacted revenge for their earlier loss to Atalanta.
