Three goals scored – the same tally as in the last friendly in Nice – and Zappacosta’s return to the pitch after the injury he picked up at the beginning of September; many positive notes came at Sevilla’s Benito Villamarin stadium against Real Betis, the Spanish team who currently sit in fourth place in the Liga and qualified for the UEFA Europa League round of 16. Atalanta’s 3-0 win in the last warm-up game before Christmas is courtesy of Muriel, de Roon and Éderson.

MURIEL OPENS THE SCORING-DE ROON DOUBLES OUR LEAD The first chance of the game was for the hosts 17 minutes into the match with Fekir, but Musso was well alert and rushed off his line to parry the shot. Once they got past the threat, Gasperini’s men opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a stunning goal from Muriel, who collected a clearance and turned it first time into the top corner. The match became a thrilling one, as a Djimsiti cross sent Zapata clear, and then Borja Iglesias had two quick-fire chances that did not worry Musso, though. It was a pleasant match with the two teams facing off. Atalanta doubled their lead in the 27th minute through de Roon – fresh from his World Cup commitments with the Netherlands -, who hit a clinical left-footer from the edge of the box assisted by Zapata. Before half-time, Betis’ pressure produced two chances for Alex Moreno and, above all, Borja Iglesias, but Gasperini’s men managed to end the first half with a two-goal lead.

ÉDERSON GETS OFF THE BENCH AND SCORES The second half started with Éderson replacing Zortea. Gasperini’s substitution immediately paid off, as after three minutes it was the Brazilian who netted the third goal assisted by Koopmeiners, with a clinical right-footed shot placed into the far bottom corner. Musso secured the 3-0 win by parrying Fekir’s powerful finish. Then, on another happy note, Zappacosta was subbed on by Gasperini in the 63rd minute, coming back after a long time on the sideline. The Nerazzurri managed the three-goal lead well and even came close to scoring again with de Roon, who almost bagged a brace in the 73rd minute.

BACK TO ZINGONIA ON TUESDAY The team will resume training on Tuesday 27 December at the Centro Bortolotti in Zingonia after the Christmas holidays. A double training session is to take place behind closed doors. The last winter friendly to prepare for the resumption of the league will instead be played on Thursday 29 December at the Gewiss Stadium (19:00 CET) against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.

REAL BETIS 0-3 ATALANTA

Scorers: Muriel 22 (A), de Roon 27 (A), Éderson 48 (A).

Real Betis: Rui Silva, Sabaly (Aitor Ruibal 46), Luiz Felipe (Perez 69), Felix, Alex Moreno (Miranda 58), William (Edgar 46), Guardado (Enrique Fernandez 58), Luiz Henrique (Joaquin 58), Fekir (Camarasa 69), Rodri (Juanmi 58), Borja Iglesias (Willian Josè 69). Unused bench: Bravo, Dani Martin. Coach: Manuel Pellegrini.

Atalanta: Musso (Rossi 90), Toloi, Palomino (Okoli 81), Djimsiti, Zortea (Éderson 46), Mæhle (Zappacosta 63), de Roon, Koopmeiners, Ruggeri (Soppy 81), Muriel (Højlund 63), Zapata (Lookman 63). Unused bench: Sportiello, Boga, Malinovskyi. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.

Referee: Mario Melero Lopez (refereeing assistants Angel Nevado Rodriguez and Antonio Ramon Martinez Moreno, fourth official Manuel Camacho Garrote).