On matchday 12 of the 2021-2022 Serie A TIM, Atalanta claim an important 2-1 win over Cagliari at the Unipol Domus thanks to goals from Pašalić and Zapata.
It was a strong start from the Nerazzurri, as they found the breakthrough in the 6th minute through Pašalić, who tapped in from Zappacosta’s cross to the back post. Zapata almost doubled Atalanta’s lead on 25 minutes but Cragno pulled off a great save to deny him and from a potential 0-2 lead, Joao Pedro made it 1-1 for Cagliari two minutes later from Godin’s ball over the top. All had to be redone, but Zapata came to the rescue in the 43rd minute to restore the Nerazzurri’s lead: the Colombian got the ball from Koopmeiners inside the box, turned and blasted in with his left foot to beat Cragno.
The second half opened up with a volley from Bellanova, who blasted just over, then Atalanta were awarded a penalty on 56 minutes (Carboni challenge on Pašalić), which was then revoked after a V.A.R. on-field review, making it all very open. Cagliari tried to level up through Pavoletti (who threatened in the 84th minute with a header), but Iličić, Pašalić and Zappacosta got the best chances to make it 3-1.
CAGLIARI 1-2 ATALANTA
Scorers: Pašalić 6 (A), João Pedro 27 (C), Zapata 43 (A).
Cagliari: Cragno, Zappa (Farias 90), Godin, Carboni, Lykogiannis, Bellanova (Pereiro 83), Marin, Deiola (Grassi 46), Strootman (Pavoletti 61), Nandez, Joao Pedro. Unused bench: Aresti, Radunovic, Altare, Oliva, Pavoletti, Obert. Coach: Walter Mazzarri.
Atalanta: Musso, de Roon, Demiral, Palomino, Zappacosta, Koopmeiners (Lovato 63), Freuler (Pessina 92), Mæhle, Pašalić (Pezzella 92), Malinovskyi (Iličić 63), Zapata. Unused bench: Rossi, Sportiello, Muriel, Djimsiti, Scalvini, Miranchuk, Piccoli. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Referee: Marco Piccinini from Forlì.
Assistants: Luigi Rossi from Rovigo and Vito Mastrodonato from Molfetta.
Fourth official: Alberto Santoro from Messina.
V.A.R.: Daniele Chiffi from Padua.
A.V.A.R.: Alessandro Lo Cicero from Brescia.
Notes: Godin (C), Koopmeiners (A) booked.
