Atalanta punched their ticket to next season’s Champions League with a crucial 2-1 win over Roma in Bergamo. The result not only confirms a top-four finish for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, but also ends the Giallorossi’s 19-game unbeaten run in a match that could define their European hopes.
The hosts started strong and took an early lead after just six minutes: Lookman turned sharply in the box and fired into the bottom corner after a setup from De Ketelaere. Roma responded with a dangerous shot from Koné, but Atalanta squandered multiple chances to double their advantage before Bryan Cristante – a former Atalanta player – headed in the equalizer from a Soulé cross on 32 minutes.
The first half closed with Roma gaining momentum, forcing a series of desperate interventions from the home defense. After the break, Shomurodov tested Carnesecchi early, but it was the Nerazzurri who reclaimed control. A controversial VAR decision saw a potential penalty for Roma overturned after a review of a Pasalic-Koné collision in the box.
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The match-winning moment arrived in the 76th minute. Substitute Sulemana latched onto a pass from Samardzic and rifled a low shot into the far corner, beating Svilar to score his first goal in Serie A. A brief VAR check confirmed no foul or handball by Lookman in the buildup. The game ended in tension with heated protests and a scuffle during Roma’s final corner, but the scoreline remained unchanged.
Post-match, Claudio Ranieri didn’t hide his frustration, particularly over the rescinded penalty: “In games like this, those decisions can change everything.” With two games left, Roma’s path to the Champions League has become much more complicated.
