Atalanta BC continued their impressive run in Serie A by defeating Empoli FC 3-2 on December 22, 2023, marking their eleventh consecutive victory. The match, held at Gewiss Stadium, saw the Bergamo club showcasing their determination to maintain their position at the top of the league.
The game began dramatically, with Empoli taking the lead early on. Lorenzo Colombo opened the scoring just 13 minutes in, finishing a well-executed counter-attack. But Atalanta responded, leveling the score at 1-1 when Charles De Ketelaere found the net with a header following a cross from Davide Zappacosta.
Ademola Lookman then pushed Atalanta to the forefront just before halftime, scoring from close range after another assist from Zappacosta. This brought the game to 2-1, and Atalanta looked poised to extend their winning streak.
Empoli, resilient and determined, fought back to equalize through Sebastiano Esposito, who converted from the penalty spot after Berat Djimsiti fouled Emmanuel Grassi inside the area early in the second half. With the scoreline now tied at 2-2, the tension rose as both teams sought to secure the three points.
With time running out, it was De Ketelaere once again who made the difference. The Belgian forward displayed his skills, dribbling through the defense and scoring the winning goal with only four minutes remaining on the clock, securing the match for Atalanta at 3-2.
Post-match, Atalanta's coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, expressed his pride over the team's performance. "This victory marks our eleventh consecutive win, and it feels great to keep the momentum going. Despite great resistance from Empoli, our team showed resilience which is key at this stage of the season," he stated.
With this win, Atalanta now sits firmly at the top of the Serie A standings with 37 points, two points clear of rivals Napoli, who are closely contesting for the title. The team’s series of victories has galvanized their supporters and increased expectations for the remainder of the season as they aim for their first Serie A title.
Looking forward, Atalanta's next match will be against Lazio, and it promises to be another challenging encounter as they hope to extend their remarkable streak. Meanwhile, Empoli, currently sitting mid-table, will be hosting Genoa and will seek to bounce back from this narrow defeat.
Atalanta's form has not gone unnoticed, with fans eager to see if the squad can continue their winning streak and possibly become champions. The depth of talent within the squad, especially with key players like De Ketelaere, Lookman, and Zappacosta contributing significantly to the team’s success, leaves supporters optimistic.
