Atalanta Bergamo booked its place in the Champions League with a deserved 2-1 win over Roma. Meanwhile, the Giallorossi lost for the first time since December.
Precisely because the other Champions League contenders, Juventus and Lazio, had stolen points from each other in a 1-1 draw on this 36th matchday of Serie A, both Atalanta, coached by Gian Piero Gasperini, after their recent 4-0 win at Monza, and Roma, coached by Claudio Ranieri, after their important 1-0 win at Florence, had a great chance to qualify for the Champions League. 0 draw against Florence.
However, this circumstance seemed to paralyze the visitors from the capital at the beginning. Apart from a long-range shot from Cristante that was saved by Carnesecchi (8th minute), the Romans achieved little in attack. Instead, they made simple mistakes in their build-up play and allowed Bergamo, who had started dominantly, to grow stronger by the minute.
Lookman doesn’t hesitate – response from former Atalanta pro
Starting with Lookman and Zappacosta (5th minute) and continuing with de Ketelaere, who missed by inches (6th minute), the early stages clearly belonged to the Lombards. This was especially true after the ninth minute, when Lookman was played in and not covered closely enough by Rensch. The former Leipzig player was able to turn and confidently slot the ball into the right corner to make it 1-0. Atalanta then failed to capitalize on several good chances to quickly add to their lead.
They were made to pay for that before the break when, out of nowhere, the score was level at 1-1: Soulé was left unmarked and crossed perfectly into the center for Cristante, who rose highest and gave his marker de Roon and keeper Carnesecchi no chance with his header into the left corner (32′). Just before the break, former Gladbach player Koné and Rensch could have made it 2-1 for Roma, who looked more stable at 1-1.
No penalty after VAR check – Sulemana secures CL ticket
This impression remained at the start of the second half, when Carnesecchi saved a decent shot from Shomurodov (53′) and Soulé aimed too inaccurately after dribbling (55′). At the other end, Bellanova got his team back into the game with a solo effort (56′).
The game continued with a penalty kick after an alleged foul by Pasalic on Koné. However, after VAR intervention, this decision was reversed – too little contact according to the officials (65′). Lookman also lacked accuracy with a blocked shot (75′).
Just a minute later, however, the Lombards found the back of the Roman net. The agile Lookman initiated the move, former Hertha player Samardzic set it up with a bit of luck, and substitute Sulemana (who joined from Cagliari in 2024) fired into the bottom right corner to make it 2-1. It was his first goal for La Dea and also the final score, as the Romans were unable to recover from this setback.
They lost a Serie A game for the first time since December 15, 2024 (0-2 at promoted Como) and remained sixth, one point behind Juventus and Lazio in fourth place, which qualifies for the Champions League. So it remains exciting, especially next Sunday, when Roma host the mighty AC Milan. Atalanta, on the other hand, had reason to celebrate, as their deserved 2-1 victory finally secured their place in the Champions League.
