NAPLES. Crazy victory for Atalanta, who between one comeback and the other and a thousand twists, conquers Maradona forcing Napoli (decimated by injuries) to the first home defeat of the championship. It ended 3-2 in favor of the Nerazzurri thanks to goals from Demiral and Freuler, which made Zielinski and Mertens’ comeback in vain after Malinovskyi’s initial advantage. Situation at the top that is distorted and which now sees four teams enclosed in as many points: Milan first at +1 over Inter and +2 right on Spalletti’s Neapolitans, with Gasperini’s team shortening to -4 from first place. Championship more alive and exciting than ever.
Ready to go and the Bergamo players immediately took the lead thanks to Malinovskyi’s magical lefty, who receives from Zapata and beats Ospina from outside the area, directing under the crossbar. The game, however, is lively and unpredictable, with continuous opportunities on both sides. Lozano fails the possible equalizer on 12 ‘, Ospina saves on Zappacosta on the opposite front, then it is again Lozano who scares Musso with a poisonous diagonal in the half hour. Close to the interval the equalizer of Napoli arrives thanks to the left foot of the usual Zielinski who, after a rejected by Palomino, strikes Musso with another conclusion in the full penalty area.
Upon returning from the locker rooms the Neapolitans continue on the wings of enthusiasm and after just a minute and a half they completely overturn the result: once again protagonist Mertens, who runs away on Malcuit’s launch and beats the goalkeeper for the 2-1 that blows up the ‘ Maradona ‘.
The Goddess is not there and tries to respond immediately with Zapata, however unfortunate in hitting the post with a header on Maehle’s cross. At 60 ‘a penalty is whistled against the Nerazzurri for an alleged touch of the hand by Mario Rui in the area, but it is a mistake by Mariani who corrects his decision after the review at the Var. However, a few minutes pass and Atalanta even makes the counter-limelight with the goals in rapid sequence by Demiral and Freuler, which bring Gasperini’s team up to 2-3 20 minutes from the ninetieth. In the final, Napoli tries everything to avoid the knockout, the last chance happens to Petagna in full recovery, but the former Atalantino wastes everything from a few steps.