Atalanta fail to score on Empoli's Dragowski despite 32 shots on goal
Atalanta managed 32 shots on goal but could not find a way past Empoli keeper Bartlomiej Dragowski as they were held 0-0 at home and dropped two precious points in the race for a Champions League place on Monday.
The Polish goalkeeper had an outstanding match as he kept the hosts at bay with at least half a dozen top-quality saves.
Hans Hateboer wasted Atalanta's best chance when he contrived to head over from point-blank range from Josip Ilicic's assist after nine minutes.
After that, Atalanta laid siege to the Empoli goal but a combination of poor finishing, free kicks into the wall, heroic defending by the visitors and Dragowski prevented them from scoring.
The draw left Atalanta sixth in Serie A with 53 points, two behind fourth-placed AC Milan and one behind Roma. The top four qualify for the Champions League next season.
Empoli, 18th in the 20-team table, stayed in the relegation zone but are only two points behind Bologna, the team immediately above them.
Game Information
Italian Serie A Standings
Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Napoli | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | +10 | 26 |
Atalanta | 12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | +16 | 25 |
Fiorentina | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | +15 | 25 |
Internazionale | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | +12 | 25 |
Lazio | 12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | +11 | 25 |
Juventus | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | +14 | 24 |
AC Milan | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | +6 | 18 |
Bologna | 11 | 4 | 6 | 1 | +2 | 18 |
Udinese | 12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | -3 | 16 |
Empoli | 12 | 3 | 6 | 3 | -1 | 15 |
Torino | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | -3 | 14 |
AS Roma | 12 | 3 | 4 | 5 | -3 | 13 |
Parma | 12 | 2 | 6 | 4 | -2 | 12 |
Hellas Verona | 12 | 4 | 0 | 8 | -10 | 12 |
Como | 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -10 | 10 |
Cagliari | 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -10 | 10 |
Genoa | 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -13 | 10 |
Lecce | 12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | -16 | 9 |
Monza | 12 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -5 | 8 |
Venezia | 12 | 2 | 2 | 8 | -10 | 8 |