BERGAMO: Ademola Lookman said that Atal­anta have belief in a first-ever Serie A title after he fired his team provisionally top of Serie A with the late, decisive goal in Friday’s 2-1 win over AC Milan.

Nigeria forward Lookman continued his superb form by nodding in his 10th goal of the campaign with three minutes remaining at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, where delirious fans chanted “we’re gonna win the league” at the final whistle.

The 27-year-old met Sead Kolasinac’s flick-on from a corner to give Atalanta a club-record equalling ninth straight win in Italy’s top flight and move them to 34 points, two ahead of Napoli who will play Lazio at home on Sunday. Milan are seventh with 22 points.

“I just think we continue to play the way we play, match-by match, and, you know, we believe in ourselves as a team,” said Lookman when asked by Sky about Atalanta’s title hopes.

But Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who was serving a touchline ban and had to follow the action from the stands, said that the songs from the supporters about a Scudetto after the match were premature.

“The people of Bergamo have their feet firmly on the ground, so don’t take anything for granted. If we were still up there after another 20 games, it’d be different, but as things stand it is an expression of joy and a deserved one too.”

Alvaro Morata had looked to have earned Milan a point in a fiery atmosphere with his 22nd-minute leveller after former Milan flop Charles De Ketelaere had crashed Atalanta ahead in the 12th minute with a thumping header.

But Milan coach Paulo Fonseca was livid at referee Federico La Penna, in particular for De Ketelaere not being penalised for what he saw as a foul on Theo Hernandez when he lept to score Atalanta’s opener.

“Their first goal was a clear foul, there can be no doubt about it. The referee officiated against Milan,” said Fonseca. “The way the referee officiated throughout this evening was a lack of respect for Milan.”

Atalanta now turn their attentions to Tuesday’s visit of Real Madrid in the Champions League when they can strengthen their case for direct qualification for the last 16 and get revenge for defeat in the European Super Cup in August.

INTER POWER PAST PARMA

Inter Milan stayed on the heels of leaders after brilliantly taken goals either side of half-time from Italian internationals Federico Dimarco and Nicolo Barella and Marcus Thuram’s neat volley in the 67th minute were enough to beat Parma 3-1.

The reigning champions are four points behind Atalanta but have a game in hand after having to abandon last weekend’s fixture at Fiorentina due to Edoardo Bove’s harrowing collapse.

Simone Inzaghi’s side are unbeaten in 14 matches in all competitions and travel to Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday knowing that a win would almost certainly ensure a Champions League last-16 with two matches remaining.

Dimarco impressed with a deft heel touch to flick the ball past a defender and into the box and then fired in from a tight angle to break the deadlock five minutes before the interval.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 53th minute when Barella latched onto a perfectly timed pass from midfield that slipped behind the Parma defence, giving him ample time to slot the ball into the net.

An unmarked Thuram sealed Inter’s win, volleying a flicked-on corner into the net for his 10th league goal of the season.

Parma pulled one back in the 81st minute when Inter defender Matteo Darmian attempted to intercept a through ball but accidentally sent it into his own net.

“I’m very satisfied with what the lads achieved. We showed aggression and focus against a team that has been playing really well. I’m very happy,” Inzaghi said. “The only downside was the goal we conceded, it wasn’t deserved. If I had to pick one thing to criticise, it would be that. But overall, I’m very happy with the team’s performance.”

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2024