Napoli slowed down at Maradona. In a match that saw the Azzurri try in vain to prevail at home, Atalanta showed coolness and cynicism, winning with a clear 3-0. Gasperini's men, led by the prowess of Lookman and Retegui, defeated an Azzurri team that appeared confused and imprecise, especially in defense. This result represents a heavy setback for Napoli, while the Bergamo team consolidates its position in the upper part of the standings.
The game heated up right from the start: in the 10th minute, Olivera's inattention allowed De Roon to put the ball back in the center, which De Ketelaere deflected to Lookman, who beat Meret with a left-footed volley for the first goal. Napoli, one goal down, tried to react by exploiting the side lanes with Di Lorenzo and Kvaratskhelia, but every attempt was shattered by Atalanta's attentive defense. Conte's team showed some signs of liveliness, especially in the 12th minute when McTominay hit the post with a powerful right-footed shot, but Lukaku's constant attempts were always well contained by defender Hien, protagonist of an impeccable performance.
In the second half, Napoli returned to the pitch with great determination, but in the 31st minute the Bergamo team scored their second goal, with Lookman once again the protagonist.
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The hosts had plenty of chances, but precision was lacking in the decisive moments. The emblematic scene was in the 66th minute, when Buongiorno, on a free kick from Raspadori, forced Carnesecchi into a decisive save that nipped in the bud any hope of a comeback for the Azzurri. While Napoli pushed forward in search of a goal to reopen the match, Atalanta struck once again on the counterattack in injury time: in the 93rd minute, an uncalled hold on Neres opened the field for Bellanova, who served Retegui, who closed the match with a splendid volley, inflicting the final blow on Napoli.
At the end, tensions flared up between the players: Djimsiti and Mazzocchi, even though they were on the bench, were cautioned for a heated verbal exchange, while Retegui he received a yellow card for taking off his shirt in celebration. For Napoli, the bitterness is great, especially for the feeling of having let slip a game that, with more concentration, could have taken a different turn. Conte will now have to put the pieces back together and work on the defensive strength, which appeared uncertain in the face of the speed and technique of the Bergamo attackers.
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