Atalanta officially secured a place in the next edition of the Champions League after a dramatic 2-1 victory over the gaining momentum Roma in Bergamo, Topsport reported.
"The Goddess" not only regained her ticket to the most prestigious club tournament in Europe, but also seriously complicated the lives of the "Wolves" in the battle for the Top 4 in Serie A.
The hosts started brightly and just nine minutes after the first whistle Charles De Ketelare found Ademola Lookman in the penalty area. The Nigerian winger feinted on his right foot and with a measured shot into the right corner of the goal opened the score, setting the tone for another European evening in Bergamo. A little later De Ketelare could have doubled the lead, but missed from an excellent position, and in the next attack he was stopped by the visitors' goalkeeper Mile Svilar.
These misses allowed Roma to get back into the match. In the 32nd minute, Matthias Sule sent an excellent cross from a free kick into the penalty area, and Brian Cristante, with a slight deflection, pierced Carnesecchi for 1:1.
After the break, Roma pressed and Eldor Shomurodov had a chance to put the guests ahead, but his shot did not trouble Carnesecchi. Midway through the second half, the tension escalated when the referee initially awarded a penalty for a foul by Mario Pasalic on Manu Kone, but after VAR intervention and a review of the monitor, he overturned his decision.
At a time when the match seemed headed for a draw, Atalanta struck their decisive blow. In the 76th minute, Lukman's cross was poorly cleared by Roma's defense, and Ibrahim Sulemana sent the ball into the bottom right corner with a powerful volley - 2:1 and a storm of joy at "Gevis Stadium".
With this success, Atalanta is now assured of third place and will play in the elite phase of the Champions League next season. Roma remains in sixth position, but only a point from the Top 4, with two rounds left until the end of the championship.