What a month it has been for Atalanta! And what 209 days lie ahead. The Goddess of the province has, in the last month alone, stunned Liverpool at Anfield, knocked them out of the Europa League, eliminated Fiorentina to reach the Italian Cup final, ousted Marseille in the Europa League semifinals, and along the way, secured three victories in the league, bringing them close to the Champions League. And tonight, they’ve notched up a fourth, likely crucial for clinching fifth place and securing a spot in the elite competition next season. In a clash with their direct rival, Atalanta defeated Roma 2-1 and snatched fifth place, leading to the Champions League. They have three points more and one game less than the Giallorossi, whose best hope now is for Atalanta to win the Europa League final against Leverkusen. If that happens, and Atalanta finishes the Serie A season in fifth place, then the sixth-placed team also qualifies for the Champions League. Roma has the best chance of that.However, the Giallorossi no longer hold their fate in their own hands and now depend on others. In just three days, Roma’s entire season has come to the brink of collapse. After being knocked out in the Europa League semifinals, tonight, they had the chance to take a decisive step towards the Champions League with a win in Bergamo against their direct rival. However, Atalanta proved to be the better team… much better.Gasperini’s men started furiously, and Mile Svilar had to save the net already in the second minute after a corner. The Romans held on until the 18th minute. The rejuvenated Charles De Ketelaere continued his dream season and scored his 12th goal since arriving from Milan this summer. He made a superb run, waited for Scamacca’s pass, dribbled past Mancini, and shot irresistibly into the opposite corner. Two minutes after his 12th, De Ketelaere scored his 13th goal of the season. This time, Koopmeiners and Scamacca played a one-two, and the Dutchman perfectly assisted De Ketelaere, who knocked Roma out. Roma’s lifeline came from substitute Abraham, who won a penalty, and captain Pellegrini converted from the spot in the 66th minute. The game changed, and despite a terrible hour, Roma started to chase the equalizer. Pelegrini and Lukaku had chances, but Atalanta survived those moments. In the end, they regained control of the game and recorded a much needed win.SERIE A – MATCHDAY 36FridayFrosinone – Inter 0-5 (0-1)/Frattesi 19, Arnautovic 60, Buchanan 77, Martinez 80, Thuram 84/SaturdayNapoli – Bologna 0-2 (0-2)/Ndoye 9, Posch 12/AC Milan – Cagliari 5-1 (1-0)/Bennacer 36, Pulisic 59, 87, Reijnders 74, Leao 83 – Nandez 63/SundayLazio – Empoli 2-0 (1-0)/Patric 45, Vecino 89)Genoa – Sassuolo 2-1 (0-1)/Badelj 56, Kumbulla 63 – Pinamonti 31/Verona – Torino 1-2 (0-0)/Swiderski 67 – Savva 77, Pellegri 83/Juventus – Salernitana 1-1 (0-1)/Rabiot 90+1 – Pierozzi 27/Atalanta – Roma 2-1 (2-0)/De Ketelaere 18, 20 – Pellegriini 66(p)/Monday19:30: (2.75) Lecce (2.95) Udinese (2.85)21:45: (1.57) Fiorentina (4.00) Monza (6.00)***odds are subject to change***
