Atalanta overcome Cremonese to keep hopes of Champions League alive

Separated by an enormous 32 points ahead of kick-off, Cremonese fans could have been forgiven for fearing the worst. Yet an upturn in form has seen La Cremo pick up five points from their last five league games, and on the first half’s evidence, Davide Ballardini’s side are not prepared to give up their Serie A status without a fight. The half was short on goalmouth action, as the hosts largely matched Atalanta stride-for-stride. However, on the brink of HT, La Dea converted their first shot on target when a drilled Duván Zapata cross dropped the way of Marten de Roon. The Dutchman made no mistake, netting in consecutive games after pouncing on the loose ball to fire beyond Marco Carnesecchi.

See stats from the match at Flashscore

The visitors piled on the pressure after the restart, but an alert Carnesecchi was on hand to stifle Ademola Lookman’s close-range effort. Now on the back foot, things were looking rather bleak for the home side until a handball from Rafael Tolói handed them a lifeline from the spot. Captain Daniel Ciofani stepped up, and after a long delay, successfully sent Juan Musso the wrong way to level the game. In need of a change to turn the tide of the game, Gian Piero Gasperini brought on Rasmus Højlund and Jeremie Boga, who combined to restore Atalanta’s lead following some impressive wing play from the Norway international.

Højlund wasted the chance to kill off the contest late on, but Lookman made no such mistake, applying the finishing touch to a team move in stoppage time. La Dea’s second-half showing helps secure three important points in their pursuit of qualification for Europe’s top-tier cup competition. As for Cremonese, despite a gritty performance, the relegation-threatened side come away emptyhanded and remain 11 points adrift.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Marten de Roon (Atalanta BC)