Atalanta put on a dazzling display on February 23, 2025, as they dismantled Empoli with a resounding 5-0 victory at the Stadio Carlo Castellani, reaffirming their quest for the Serie A title.
The Bergamo side, managed by Gian Piero Gasperini, demonstrated remarkable attacking prowess throughout the match, delivering one of their best performances of the season against the struggling Empoli. The captain, Marco Silvestri, found himself busy throughout the match, particularly during the first half when Atalanta’s relentless offense applied constant pressure.
It all started with misfortune for Empoli when Emmanuel Gyasi inadvertently scored an own goal at the 27-minute mark, putting Atalanta up 1-0. Gyasi's deflection came off Davide Zappacosta’s seemingly harmless cross, catching Silvestri off-guard as the ball looped over him and found the back of the net.
Just six minutes later, Mateo Retegui doubled Atalanta’s advantage, tapping home from close range after Berat Djimsiti flicked on the ball from a corner. The visitors continued to dominate the match, with their attacking unit seamlessly breaking down Empoli’s defenses.
Ademola Lookman, who had faced criticism after missing a penalty against Club Brugge, responded emphatically. He scored two goals, first rounding the goalkeeper at the 43rd minute to score Atalanta’s third goal before adding his second just 10 minutes after the restart. With incredible finesse, Lookman expertly finished off another assist from Marten De Roon, showing why he has cemented his place as one of the star players of the squad.
To cap off the one-sided affair, Davide Zappacosta added the final touch, firing home from the edge of the box at the 74th minute, wrapping up the day’s scoreline at 5-0.
Empoli, on the other hand, faced yet another tough outing. The loss means they remain entrenched at the bottom of the league table, struggling to find form. The match marked another defeat for the club, who had little chance to create clear scoring opportunities against Atalanta’s dominant midfield and attack.
The result is significant not only for Atalanta’s standings—now only three points behind league leaders Inter—but also for the mental edge it provides heading back to league play after their midweek disappointment. After being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Brugge, Atalanta’s coach Gasperini praised his squad's focus: “It was important to bounce back from our Champions League exit, and this was the perfect way to respond,” he stated.
Lookman, whose performance was pivotal, earned the title of Man of the Match for his two goals and overall influence on the pitch. “Today, we showed our quality,” Lookman remarked. “We came out determined, and everyone contributed. We are focused on the Scudetto, and this is the kind of performance we need to maintain.”
The match stats aggregate presented the stark reality of Atalanta's domination—17 shots compared to Empoli’s mere 5. The tactical flexibility shown by Atalanta, with their 3-4-2-1 formation allowing the wing-backs to thrive, ensured they were always one step ahead.
Despite the overwhelming defeat, there were fleeting moments of promise for Empoli, particularly when 16-year-old debutant Thomas Campaniello almost found the back of the net, yet he couldn’t keep his shot down. The management team under coach Roberto D’Aversa will have to regroup and continue to work on strategies to combat the relegation threat they face.
This fixture demonstrated the clear gulf between confidence-laden Atalanta and the beleaguered Empoli. The impending fixtures hold significant importance for both squads; Atalanta will seek to maintain their title challenge, and Empoli will strive to claw their way out of the relegation zone. Fans will now closely watch how both teams navigate these tumultuous waters as Serie A enters the final stretch of the season.