Atalanta Dent Roma's Hopes of Champions League Qualification
Atalanta tightened their grip on a top-three finish in Serie A with a commanding 2-1 victory over AS Roma in Matchday 36, effectively putting a major dent in the Giallorossi's hopes of returning to the UEFA Champions League next season.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s men were in no mood to slip up in front of their home fans, and it took just minutes for Ademola Lookman to fire them into the lead with a clinical early finish. Bryan Cristante responded swiftly for Roma, converting a well-timed assist from Matías Soulé to level the score before halftime.
But the second half was a different story. Roma’s defensive frailties were once again exposed when Ibrahim Sulemana struck to restore Atalanta’s advantage. A visibly frustrated Claudio Ranieri made sweeping changes up front, substituting both Artem Dovbyk and Eldor Shomurodov, but his tactical shuffle failed to turn the tide.
With just two games left, Roma remain in sixth place and now face an uphill battle to reach Europe’s elite competition. Their Champions League destiny is no longer in their hands, relying on stumbles from both Juventus and Lazio to keep the dream alive.
2024-25, Italy - Serie A
Atalanta - AS Roma 2:1 (1:1)
Goals: Lookman, 9 (1:0); Cristante, 32 (1:1); Sulemana, 76 (2:1)
Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Kossounou; Bellanova (Ruggeri, 82); Djimsiti; Zappacosta; Éderson J.; Pasalic (Sulemana, 68); de Roon; De Ketelaere (Samardzic L., 68); Lookman (Brescianini, 88); Retegui (Maldini D., 88)
Bench: Rui Patricio; Rossi F.; Comi; Bernasconi; Riccio
Yellow Cards: Djimsiti 90
AS Roma: Svilar; Rensch (Pisilli, 76); Angelino; Ndicka; Çelik; Mancini G.; Cristante; Kone Ko. (El Shaarawy, 85); Dovbyk (Saelemaekers, 86); Shomurodov (Baldanzi, 85); Soule M.
Bench: Abdulhamid; Hummels; Salah-Eddine; Paredes L.; Nelsson V.; Gourna-Douath; Dybala
