Atalanta's hopes of securing their first Serie A title took another hit on Saturday, March 1, 2025, as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Venezia at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo. The outcome marked the fifth consecutive home game without victory for Gian Piero Gasperini's side, who missed the opportunity to close the gap with league leaders Inter Milan.
Despite dominating possession and firing 18 shots, Atalanta's attack struggled to find the net. Only three of those attempts were on target, leaving the home fans disappointed as they watched their team waste several promising chances. Notably, Davide Zappacosta's shot clipped the outside of the post just minutes before half-time, highlighting the team's inability to convert opportunities.
Ademola Lookman, who scored twice during Atalanta's previous match against Empoli, had his chances as well but failed to capitalize. He wasted a clear one-on-one chance against Venezia goalkeeper Ionut Radu and sent another effort just over from inches out late in the game. Mateo Retegui, Atalanta's leading scorer, was equally culpable, missing two headers and blasting over the bar when it seemed easier to score. With these shortcomings, Atalanta ended the match having produced only 2.38 expected goals (xG), marking one of their worst performances of the season, according to various statistics.
Conversely, Venezia, coached by Eusebio Di Francesco, seemed content with the draw, which marked their second consecutive stalemate. Positioned second to last on the Serie A table, Venezia now has 18 points as they fight to avoid relegation. They created some danger themselves, with Alessio Zerbin coming close to capitalizing on one of Atalanta's mistakes. A counter-attack put Zerbin through, but instead of passing to the free Maric, he opted for individual brilliance, which resulted in missed potential. This moment of indecision perfectly encapsulated the struggle both teams faced during the match.
The draw leaves Atalanta third with 55 points, just two points behind Inter Milan and one behind second-placed Napoli, who are set to face each other later on Saturday. After enjoying success with three wins earlier this year, Atalanta's current form raises questions about their title aspirations. Having exited both the Champions League and the Coppa Italia last month, the pressure is mounting as they look to break their poor streak at home. Fans had been drawn to their impressive form earlier this season, but this recent trend could jeopardize their chances of lifting the Scudetto.
Atalanta’s next fixture sees them travel to Juventus on March 9, before hosting Inter Milan at home, which promises to be another high-stakes encounter. The fans are hoping the team will regain their early-season form and make the most of those matchups. Venezia, meanwhile, will continue their battle against relegation as they head to Udinese for their next match, still five points adrift from safety.
With every game now carrying immense significance for both teams, this goalless draw serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by squads at opposite ends of the table. For Atalanta, it was not just the points missed but the lost momentum at home, particularly as they prepare to face rivals for the title, leaving fans wondering if this season might slip through their fingers.
Overall, as Atalanta faces the uphill battle of converting chances and regaining lost ground, they must confront the harsh reality of their current form before it costs them dearly. For Venezia, this draw might constitute a small victory as they aim to stabilize and, hopefully, climb out of the relegation zone.