Napoli forward Romelu Lukaku (R) in action
during the Italian Serie A soccer match SSC Napoli vs US Atalanta
at Diego Armando Maradona stadium
in Naples, Italy, 03 November 2024. EPA-EFE/CESARE ABBATE

Serie A | Napoli 0-3 Atalanta: Lookman and Gasperini Steal the Show

It was a night of tactical brilliance and clinical finishing as Atalanta sent shockwaves around Serie A by beating league leaders Napoli 3-0 in a commanding display. Ademola Lookman stole the headlines with an early brace that set the tone for a match oozing with true strategic genius from Gian Piero Gasperini. This was only the second defeat on the season for Napoli, and it sent the fans and analysts into overload.

Early Goals and a Lookman Masterclass

Napoli entered the game missing their midfield maestro, Stanislav Lobotka, so Billy Gilmour stepped in after their recent 2-0 win over Milan. However, it was Atalanta who started with the great desire to harass Napoli right from the first minute. Gasperini took the bold decision to bench the star striker Mateo Retegui-a restrictive decision that paid dividends in less than 10 minutes.

The breakthrough came when Matias Olivera's attempted clearance fell short, allowing Charles De Ketelaere to deftly flick the ball to the back post. Waiting there was Lookman, who coolly volleyed it in from a near-impossible angle, ending Napoli’s three-game clean sheet streak. It was a thrilling moment that caught Napoli off guard.

Just shortly afterward, Scott McTominay could have equalized with a rocket from outside the box that reached the post, but the visitors were not done yet.

Lookman Strikes Again

With Napoli still reeling, Lookman doubled Atalanta's lead with a moment of sheer skill. On a lightning-fast counter, De Ketelaere delivered a perfect pass, finding Lookman, who cut inside Giovanni Di Lorenzo and fired a powerful shot that goalkeeper Alex Meret couldn’t keep out. Suddenly, Napoli found themselves trailing 0-2, and Atalanta was in full control.

Atalanta’s defense was also relentless, with Isak Hien battling Romelu Lukaku and Berat Djimsiti blocking Matteo Politano’s close-range attempt. Napoli was struggling to find any rhythm as Atalanta’s backline thwarted their every attempt.

Close Calls and Dominant Defense

Napoli pressed on, determined to get back into the game, but Atalanta’s defense and goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi were up to the task. Just before halftime, Mario Pasalic missed a golden opportunity to make it 3-0, sending a free header wide. The near miss gave Napoli a glimmer of hope heading into the second half.

The home side came out strong after the break, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia testing Carnesecchi almost immediately. But every Napoli attempt seemed to hit a wall, as Lookman, despite scoring twice, continued to press and nearly completed a hat-trick before being ruled offside.

Sead Kolasinac also found the net, but the goal was disallowed for both offside and a foul, maintaining the 2-0 scoreline. Napoli’s Amir Rrahmani and Alessandro Buongiorno both came close, but once again Carnesecchi’s reflexes kept Atalanta’s lead safe.

Retegui’s Late Stunner and a Fiery Finish

With Napoli throwing everything forward, Atalanta’s counterattack remained lethal. Gasperini finally brought Retegui off the bench, and the star striker didn’t disappoint. In the closing moments, Retegui expertly volleyed a cross from Matteo Ruggeri into the bottom corner, securing a decisive 3-0 lead. His celebration was intense, and it sparked a heated response from Napoli’s bench—a moment that highlighted the passion and drama of the night.

The Historical Rivalry Continues

A reminder of how fevered this rivalry has become, with just one of the last 19 Serie A meetings ending in a draw-2-2 in October 2019-the teams of Napoli and Atalanta have simply been swapping wins. This 3-0 result was a repeat of last season's outcome and one which consolidates Atalanta's growing reputation as an awkward customer for the Neapolitans.

In the end, this was a night that belonged to Gasperini’s tactical brilliance and Lookman’s clinical finishing. With Napoli’s winning streak broken, the league leaders have work to do to stay ahead, while Atalanta celebrates a performance that could redefine their season.

Tags :

#napoli vs atalanta #napoli #atalanta #serie a 2024/2025 #serie a #liga italia 2024/2025 #liga italia

#italian league #italian league 2024/2025