Atalanta’s remarkable 11-match winning streak in Serie A came to an end on Saturday with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Lazio in Rome.
Super Eagles’s midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s first-half strike for Lazio was later neutralized by a late equalizer from Marco Brescianini, keeping Gian Piero Gasperini’s side at the summit of the league table.
Despite the dropped points, Atalanta remain in pole position with 41 points, one ahead of second-placed Inter Milan, who had earlier cruised to a 3-0 victory over Cagliari. Lazio, meanwhile, sit fourth with 35 points.
The match began with Lazio taking the initiative, as Valentin Castellanos forced Marco Carnesecchi into two sharp saves in quick succession.
Matteo Guendouzi almost gave the hosts an early lead but saw his long-range strike rattle the post.
Atalanta, struggling to match Lazio’s intensity, finally threatened around the 20th minute when Davide Zappacosta’s low volley narrowly missed the target.
However, it was Lazio who capitalized on their dominance, with Nicolo Rovella delivering a lofted through ball to Dele-Bashiru in the 27th minute.
The forward skillfully maneuvered inside the box and unleashed a bouncing volley that found the back of the net.
“The most important chances came in the second half. If we had scored earlier, we would have had more opportunities to turn the game around after a very difficult first half where Lazio deserved their lead,” Gasperini told DAZN streaming services.
“We couldn’t handle their intensity, with all their players pressing hard. We struggled to win the ball back. On their goal, they were quicker than us in midfield.
“It took us a while to find our footing. Partly due to our shortcomings and largely because of their quality, we suffered a lot in the first half. Then in the second half, we played a different game.”
Atalanta began to find their rhythm after the break, with Ademola Lookman testing Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel with a superb effort just past the hour mark.
Lazio missed a golden opportunity to double their lead when Boulaye Dia failed to connect with a cross while unmarked in front of goal.
The match reached its crescendo in the final minutes. Lookman nearly leveled the game when a corner found him unmarked in the box, only for Luca Pellegrini to clear his effort off the line. Moments later, Carnesecchi made a crucial save to deny Dia from close range.
Atalanta’s persistence paid off in the 88th minute when Brescianini pounced on a precise cutback from Lookman to score into an open net, salvaging a point for the visitors.
“It was a tough match, the first half was very difficult for us, but we fought and on another day might’ve won the game. We drew today, but we didn’t lose, so it’s positive,” Lookman told Sky Sports Italia.
“The club had a fantastic 2024, so we want to continue doing the same thing and the new year will be even better.”
