Atalanta’s bid to momentarily take the top spot in Serie A was thwarted on Saturday as they were held to a 0-0 draw against Udinese at the Dacia Arena.
This result leaves Gian Piero Gasperini’s side two points behind Serie A leaders Napoli, who will face Verona on Sunday.
Had Atalanta won, they would have moved above Napoli on goal difference. However, their performance was far from the impressive displays that have marked their season so far.
Gasperini reflected on the match, acknowledging his team’s struggles throughout. “They were better than us, more intense than us. We struggled the whole first half and were lucky,” Gasperini said. “We were a bit better in the second half, but in the end, it’s a decent point.”
Despite the disappointment of missing the chance to top the league, the result has placed additional pressure on Atalanta.
Inter Milan, who play Venezia on Sunday, now have the opportunity to move into second place, just behind Napoli. As the Serie A title race intensifies, Atalanta’s upcoming fixtures will be crucial in determining their fate.
They have a game in hand against Juventus on Tuesday at home in Bergamo, followed by a high-stakes encounter with Napoli next weekend, which could have significant implications for the title chase.
In Udine, Atalanta, aiming for their first-ever Serie A title, struggled to break down a resilient Udinese side. Despite their underwhelming performance, Atalanta were fortunate not to go behind in the first half.
Udinese’s Alexis Sanchez proved to be a constant threat, hitting the woodwork twice in quick succession. First, his header crashed against the bar, and then his follow-up rebound was again denied by the crossbar.
Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi could only watch as Sandi Lovric’s header from the second rebound went directly at him, allowing the visitors to escape unscathed.
While Atalanta slightly improved in the second half, they were unable to generate clear-cut chances, and Udinese looked dangerous on the break.
The hosts, now 12th in the league after three consecutive draws, were able to comfortably nullify Atalanta’s attacking threat, showcasing their solid defensive organization.
Atalanta’s lackluster performance highlighted some concerns for Gasperini, especially as the club looks to remain competitive in the title race.
The draw means that should Serie A’s top two finish level on points by the end of the season, a decisive match will be played to determine the Scudetto winner.
Looking at the bigger picture, Atalanta will now have to regroup and focus on their next fixtures, particularly the match against Juventus, where a win could give them a much-needed boost. Their game against Napoli is also a defining fixture in their pursuit of the Scudetto.
Elsewhere in Serie A, AC Milan made headlines as new coach Sergio Conceicao prepared for his San Siro debut against Cagliari. Milan have struggled this season, sitting in eighth place, a significant 17 points behind Napoli.
The seven-time European champions, under Conceicao’s leadership, are hoping to regain their form and mount a serious challenge for Champions League qualification.
Milan fans are eager for a turnaround after a lackluster first half of the season, and Conceicao’s experience will be key in rejuvenating the squad.
Meanwhile, Juventus will look to close the four-point gap to Lazio when they take on Torino in a Turin derby. Lazio were held to a 1-1 draw by Como on Friday, further opening the door for Juventus to push for a Champions League spot.
In a relegation battle, Lecce boosted their survival chances with a 3-1 win over Empoli. Nikola Krstovic starred for Lecce, scoring a brace to secure the vital three points, which moved Marco Giampaolo’s side three points above the relegation zone.
With the season entering its crucial phase, every point is critical for teams battling at the bottom of the table.
