Atalanta keeps CL ticket in sight after win over Roma, Koopmeiners confident
NOS Soccer–
Atalanta have not yet given up the battle for fourth place in Serie A, which in Italy still just barely earns a Champions League ticket. AS Roma, Feyenoord’s European tormentor last Thursday, were beaten 3-1.
There was little to enjoy in the first half in Bergamo until Tammy Abraham saw a trick go awry shortly before halftime and lost the ball to Duvan Zapata. The latter crossed and Mario Pasalic shot in.
Strong substitutes
As is often the case, José Mourinho’s usually defensive team proved to be able to play some nice soccer when behind, especially when Stephan El Shaarawy and Paulo Dybala stepped in. However, Atalanta made it 2-0 through Rafael Toloi, who scored on the rebound.
Lorenzo Pellegrini brought the tension back with a slider, but Teun Koopmeiners, the other Dutchman in the starting lineup besides Marten de Roon, made it 3-1 less than a minute later after goalkeeper Rui Patrício grabbed the ball. Pellegrini then hit the inside of the post.
