Matchday 16 of the 2023-2024 Serie A TIM saw Atalanta come from behind to defeat Salernitana to win the Christmas Match held at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo thanks to four second-half goals.
The Nerazzurri, who wore their Christmas Kit this evening, threatened early on when Lookman found Koopmeiners, whose header was parried by Costil. From a potential lead, Pirola opened the scoring for the visitors in the 10th minute with a towering header. Atalanta’s reaction was not long in coming as Lookman forced the visiting goalkeeper into a huge save on 12 minutes. Koopmeiners had another go in the 20th minute, although his header was straight at the goalkeeper. Pašalić then spread it for Lookman three minutes later but Costil did well to keep out the effort.
The restart saw Gasperini’s men determined to turn the game around and Muriel lived up to Atalanta’s expectations, levelling the score two minutes later with a right-foot screamer from the edge of the box after collecting from a clearance. Djimsiti and Scalvini then denied Dia before the comeback was completed in the 52nd minute when Lookman set up Pašalić for a right-foot shot into the bottom corner. Muriel tested Costil with a 62nd-minute free-kick before Carnesecchi made a huge save to deny Ikwuemesi on 73 minutes, while Dia’s 75th-minute finish smacked against the post. The Nerazzurri put the game to bed beyond doubt on 83 minutes when Scalvini won a challenge and laid it off for De Ketelaere, who coolly slotted home to make it 3-1. A fourth goal was added in the 89th minute, courtesy of Miranchuk, who latched on to De Ketelaere’s pass to beat Costil and then was denied by the post in stoppage time. The Nerazzurri claimed their second home victory in a row, winning the Christmas Match 4-1 at the Gewiss Stadium. And after the final whistle, the atmosphere was electric as Josip Iličić, the special guest of the evening, took to the pitch to be celebrated by the Atalanta crowd and former teammates.
There will be no rest for the team tomorrow, as Gasperini’s men get back to work with a behind-closed-door afternoon session at the Centro Bortolotti to begin preparations for the trip to Bologna.
ATALANTA 4-1 SALERNITANA
Scorers: Pirola 10 (S), Muriel 47 (A), Pašalić 52 (A), De Ketelaere 85 (A), Miranchuk 89 (A).
Atalanta: Carnesecchi, de Roon, Djimsiti, Scalvini, Zappacosta (Hateboer 76), Pašalić, Éderson (Kolašinac 66), Ruggeri, Koopmeiners (Adopo 85), Muriel (De Ketelaere 66), Lookman (Miranchuk 85).
Subs: Musso, Rossi, Holm, Bakker, Zortea, Bonfanti, Cisse.
Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Salernitana: Costil, Daniliuc (Bradaric 60), Gyomber, Pirola, Mazzocchi, Coulibaly, Maggiore (Legowski 67), Martegani (Ikwuemesi 67), Candreva, Dia (Cabral 86), Tchaouna (Kastanos 60).
Subs: Fiorillo, Salvati, Sambia, Bohinen, Simy, Botheim, Lovato.
Coach: Filippo Inzaghi.
Referee: Ermanno Feliciani from Teramo (assistant referees Marcello Rossi from Biella and Alessandro Cipressa from Lecce, Fourth Official Matteo Marchetti from Ostia Lido, V.A.R. Luigi Nasca from Bari, A.V.A.R. Massimiliano Irrati from Pistoia).
Notes: Pirola (S), Gasperini (A), Maggiore (S) and Ruggeri (A) booked.
