Atalanta delivered a shocking blow to Serie A leaders Napoli, securing a convincing 3-0 victory on November 3, 2024, at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
The home side was looking to extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points ahead of Inter Milan, who were scheduled to play later in the day.
However, Atalanta’s performance ended Napoli’s unbeaten run that had persisted since August 18.
Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman was the star of the match, netting two goals that showcased his striking ability.
Lookman opened the scoring in the 10th minute, capitalizing on a header from Marten de Roon.
The London-born international found himself in a perfect position to slot the ball past Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret from close range.
The second goal came shortly after the half-hour mark when Lookman executed a superb curling shot that left the Napoli defense reeling.
Coach Antonio Conte expressed his frustration at the defensive lapses that allowed Lookman the space to take the shot, emphasizing the need for tighter marking in such critical moments.
Napoli struggled to create significant scoring opportunities throughout the match, with their best chance coming from former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, who hit the post in the first half.
The home side’s lack of offensive rhythm was evident, as they failed to capitalize on their chances.
In injury time, Mateo Retegui added a third goal for Atalanta, marking his 11th goal of the season and sealing a comprehensive win for the visitors.
This victory not only brought Atalanta to 22 points but also positioned them in second place on the Serie A table, just behind Napoli before the day’s other matches took place.
With this stunning performance, Atalanta demonstrated their capability to challenge the top teams in Serie A, while Napoli will need to regroup quickly to maintain their title ambitions.
