Atalanta's Winning Streak Extends With De Ketelaere's Heroics
Charles De Ketelaere feels 'good both physically and mentally' after his brace for Atalanta, who clinched their 11th consecutive Serie A victory with a dramatic 3-2 win against Empoli at the Gewiss Stadium. The match showcased Atalanta's grit, as they emerged victorious after falling behind, much to the delight of their home crowd.
The visitors started strong, shocking the home side with Lorenzo Colombo finding the back of the net after just 13 minutes, capitalizing on a quick throw-in. Despite their early setback, Atalanta responded with resilience. After 33 minutes, De Ketelaere equalized, scoring with a superb header from Davide Zappacosta’s cross, demonstrating his aerial prowess.
Ademola Lookman, fresh off his recognition as African Player of the Year, netted Atalanta's second goal just before half-time, tapping home from close range after Nicolò Zaniolo headed down another perfect cross from De Ketelaere. This put Atalanta 2-1 up at the break, giving them momentum going forward.
Empoli wasn’t done yet, though. Sebastiano Esposito leveled the match at 2-2 on 57 minutes, converting a penalty after Berat Djimsiti's foul, which was confirmed after a VAR review. Just when it seemed the match was destined for a draw, De Ketelaere delivered the decisive blow. On 86 minutes, the Belgian international showcased his skill by weaving through four defenders and firing home, securing three precious points for his team.
After the match, De Ketelaere expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, "It was a complicated game against a very good team like Empoli and it is never easy to play against them. We suffered a bit too much today, but we reacted every time to a setback, immediately trying to get a goal and take control of the match. That is the sign of a great team." He highlighted his improvement since joining Atalanta, noting he is currently on track with 10 goals and nine assists this season, which leaves him revitalized after his struggles at AC Milan.
The victory reinforces Atalanta’s lead at the top of Serie A, now sitting two points clear of Napoli, who briefly put pressure on them following their own match the previous day. With this win, Atalanta not only set a club record for consecutive Serie A victories but also showcased their potential to compete for more than just league honors this season. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini praised his squad's resilience, stating, "We came back against a team who played well. We always aim for victory, and it's encouraging to see our players like De Ketelaere gaining confidence and improving their skills on the pitch. His second goal was extraordinary due to its wide position origin."
Looking at their broader ambitions, Atalanta is targeting four trophies this season, building on the momentum from their UEFA Europa League triumph. The team has consistently performed well at home, achieving their best home win tally since 1929-30 with 19 victories.
Atalanta's current streak of 11 consecutive Serie A victories is historical. The last two teams to achieve such success, Napoli and Inter Milan, went on to win the title. Now, with players like Mateo Retegui, Ademola Lookman, and De Ketelaere all performing at high levels—each contributing significantly to the goal tally—Atalanta is focused on making history by securing their first Serie A title.
De Ketelaere, whose remarkable resurgence has been pivotal to Atalanta’s success, emphasized the team’s philosophy as they approach the second half of the season. "Every game is difficult, but we always go for the victory. We’re happy with our current position, but there is still work to do to maintain and build on it. We have to treat every match like a battle and try to win."
With the holiday season approaching, Atalanta sits comfortably at the top of the league table, their ambitions within reach, thanks to the stellar contributions of players like De Ketelaere. The excitement among fans and players alike grows as the team looks to continue this unbeaten run and return to the Serie A summit after decades of striving.
