On matchday 36 of the 2022-2023 Serie A TIM, Gasperini’s men claimed a 3-1 comeback victory over Hellas Verona thanks to goals from Zappacosta, Pašalić and Højlund.
Atalanta had an uphill start to the game, as the visitors took an early lead through Lazovic on 11 minutes, but the Nerazzurri’s reaction was not late in coming, and after Cabal intercepted a cross for Højlund and almost scored an own goal in the 13th minute, Zappacosta levelled up the match on 22 minutes with a lovely right-footed strike into the far bottom corner assisted by Muriel. In the 37th minute, Muriel’s free-kick found Højlund for a header, but Montipò came at full stretch to fingertip it around the post.
The comeback was completed in the second half through Pašalić, who stole the ball off Montipò’s foot and deposited it into an empty net on 53 minutes. Højlund made it 3-1 in the 62nd minute, as he smashed a left-foot strike into the bottom corner from Lookman’s pass. The visitors threatened on 82 minutes with a Sulemana scorcher that smacked the crossbar and a Gaich effort that thumped the post in the 84th minute. With Montipò sticking out a foot to deny Éderson on 89 minutes after he dribbled through a crowd of defenders, the game ended 3-1 at the Gewiss Stadium. On the grounds of this victory, Atalanta move up to 61 points in the standings, locking down a top-seven finish.
The team will now enjoy a day off, as training will resume on Monday afternoon with a session behind closed doors at the Centro Bortolotti in Zingonia, which will kick off preparations for the Inter trip.
ATALANTA 3-1 HELLAS VERONA
Scorers: Lazovic 11 (HV), Zappacosta 22 (A), Pašalić 53 (A), Højlund 62 (A).
Atalanta: Sportiello, Toloi, Djimsiti, Scalvini, Mæhle, de Roon, Koopmeiners, Zappacosta (Okoli 56), Pašalić (Éderson 76), Højlund (Demiral 86), Muriel (Lookman 56). Unused bench: Musso, Rossi, Colombo, Bernasconi, De Nipoti. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Hellas Verona: Montipò, Ceccherini (Coppola 79), Hien,Cabal, Terracciano (Verdi 65), Tameze (Abildgraad 79), Sulemana, Depaoli, Lazovic (Faraoni 57), Ngonge, Djuric (Gaich 65). Unused bench: Berardi, Perilli, Zeefuik, Veloso, Hrustic, Magnani, Braaf, Kallon. Coach: Marco Zaffaroni.
Referee: Simone Sozza from Seregno.
Assistant referees: Giovanni Baccini from Conegliano and Damiano Di Iorio from Vco.
Fourth official: Manuel Volpi from Arezzo.
V.A.R.: Daniele Chiffi from Padova.
A.V.A.R.: Antonio Giua from Olbia.
Notes: Koopmeiners (A), Hien (HV), Depaoli (HV) and Faraoni (HV) booked.
