UEFA’s complex and complicated way of qualifications for their competitions (The Champions League, Europa League, Conference League) caused a fuss in Italy. Atalanta won the Europa League against all odds and caused joy among all Italian football lovers simply because it gave them an opportunity to have a sixth representative in Serie A in the Champions League. But, under one condition – to finish fifth in the league table. For that to happen, the club from Bergamo needed not to win in the remaining two games: at home to Torino (today) and against Fiorentina next week. It especially affected Roma, who was supposed to be that sixth team, but coach Gasperini and his men didn’t want to calculate and embarrass themselves by losing at home to a weaker team like Torino. Instead, they played fair, respected the game and won 3-0 today with goals by Lookman, Scamacca and Pašalić. So what Atalanta gave to the Italian football, Atalanta gave away – there will be ‘only’ five Italian teams in the Champions League next season.Atalanta received a guard of honour from the Torino players upon returning to Serie A action as Europa League champions 👏🏆 pic.twitter.com/MZsChfc6rl— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 26, 2024 Not only did Atalanta win and move to the fourth spot, but the club from Bergamo could even surpass Juventus and finish third in the table if they win their last postponed match against Fiorentina on June 2. The black-and-blues quickly dashed Roma’s hopes of getting a favor. Scamacca put La Dea in the lead in the 26th minute, and Ademola Lookman continued his scoring streak in the 43rd minute, doubling Atalanta’s advantage. The final score was set by Pašalić from the penalty spot in the 79th minute. With this defeat, Torino finished the season in ninth place and now must hope that Fiorentina wins the Conference League to pull them into European competition.
SERIE A – MATCHDAY 38ThursdayCagliari – Fiorentina 2-3 (0-1)/Deiola 64, Mutandwa 85 – Bonaventura 39, Gonzalez 89, Melo 90+13 pen/FridayGenoa – Bologna 2-0 (1-0)/Malinovsky 13, Vitinha 59/SaturdayJuventus – Monza 2-0 (2-0)/Chiesa 26, Alex Sandro 28/AC Milan – Salernitana 3-3 (2-0)/Leao 22, Giroud 27, Calabria 77 – Simy 64, 89, Sambia 87/SundayAtalanta – Torino 3-0 (2-0)/Scamacca 26, Lookman 43, Pasalic 71(p)/Napoli – Lecce 0-021:45: (2.50) Frosinone (3.35) Udinese (2.85)21:45: (1.92) Empoli (3.50) Roma (4.00)21:45: (1.37) Lazio (5.10) Sassuolo (7.75)21:45: (5.70) Verona (4.00) Inter (1.60)***odds are subject to change***