Atalanta ran riot at the Allianz Stadium, defeating Juventus 4-0 on Sunday evening, March 9, 2025, marking Juventus' worst home loss against Atalanta since 1967. The defeat was particularly disappointing for Juve fans, as it represented the end of their five-game unbeaten streak, and they missed out on the opportunity to draw level on points with Atalanta, who currently sit third in Serie A.
The match kicked off at a frenetic pace, with Juventus aiming to assert themselves early. Khephren Thuram threatened to put the home side on the board just minutes in, curling a shot over the crossbar after just seven minutes. Atalanta's response came swiftly; Ademola Lookman forced Juventus to scramble, as his attempt was deflected behind for a corner shortly after.
It was the 27th minute when the game's first blow fell. Weston McKennie handled the ball inside his own penalty area following VAR intervention, and Matteo Retegui calmly converted the spot-kick, putting Atalanta up 1-0. Juventus struggled to respond but managed to hold the visitors at bay for much of the first half, with their goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio showcasing brilliant reflexes, denying Marten de Roon's attempt just before intermission.
Less than one minute after the second half began, Atalanta doubled their lead. Lloyd Kelly's mistake allowed Lookman to shoot, engaging Di Gregorio, who parried the ball right back to de Roon, who slotted it home, making it 2-0. Juventus tried to rally back, with McKennie threatening early on, but clear chances remained few and far between as Atalanta continued to dominate the game.
Atalanta's third came at the 66-minute mark, when Zappacosta found the back of the net, extending their lead to 3-0. After expertly combining with Sead Kolasinac, who executed a graceful back heel, Zappacosta fired past Di Gregorio with precision. The scoreboard displayed dismay for the home side as the Allianz Stadium fell eerily quiet.
The final nail was driven home by Lookman, hitting the back of the net just minutes later, following another defensive mishap from Juventus. His shot, which took a deflection off a Juventus defender, wrong-footed Di Gregorio and signaled the end of any hopes for the beleaguered hosts. Juventus did try for a late consolation, but Marco Carnesecchi stood tall, denying McKennie's efforts to score.
Called to the sideline after the match, Juventus coach Thiago Motta faced the hard questions. "We have to reflect on what went wrong; the team showed vulnerability tonight, which we hadn't seen recently," he said. Meanwhile, Atalanta's Gian Piero Gasperini celebrated the well-executed game plan and the admirable performance from his players. "We came here to get three points, and the boys delivered; it was emphatic," he remarked.
The loss leaves Juventus facing the harsh reality of potential struggles to qualify for next season’s Champions League. They will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to face Fiorentina on March 16, 2025. The agony of this defeat, especially at home, will require immediate attention as fans expect resilience from their team moving forward.
Atalanta's commanding victory enhances their position as they rise just three points behind league leaders Inter. The clash showcased the clear gap between the two sides, emphasizing Atalanta's intention to push for the Scudetto as the season winds down.