Atalanta still in hunt for top four after win over Roma

Updated: Oct 12, 2023, 03:19 pm

Roma players react after conceding a goal in a loss to Atlanta in Serie A.
Roma players react after conceding a goal in a loss to Atlanta in Serie A.
Getty Images

Atalanta kept alive their hopes of finishing in the top four with a 3-1 home win over AS Roma on Monday thanks to goals from Mario Pasalic, captain Rafael Toloi and Teun Koopmeiners that ended the visitors' three-match Serie A winning streak.

Gian Piero Gasperini's seventh-placed side have 52 points, two points behind Internazionale, who occupy the last European qualifying spot and four off Roma and fourth-placed AC Milan.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

As an uneventful first-half was drawing to a close Atalanta broke the deadlock through Pasalic's spectacular volley after a clever run and cross from Duvan Zapata in the 39th minute.

Atalanta doubled their lead after 74 minutes when Toloi volleyed home via a deflection after a header from a corner was beaten away by Roma goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

Lorenzo Pellegrini got Roma back in the game seven minutes from time with an elegant finish into the bottom corner of the net after running from midfield to the edge of the box.

But a minute later Koopmeiners fired home after Patricio had fumbled the ball into his path as he knelt to scoop it up.

After the match, Roma coach Jose Mourinho said injury problems are hurting his team as they push for a top-four finish and are still competing in the Europa League.

"We ended the match with nine men and still hit the upright, which would have been 3-2. It is very, very difficult for me to be critical of this squad. They play within their limits," Mourinho told DAZN.

The latest injuries to Diego Llorente and Paulo Dybala add to the manager's concerns as Rick Karsdorp, Chris Smalling and Georginio Wijnaldum are all sidelined at a time when Roma face important matches.

"I think every coach even in the richest clubs will have a problem when players are missing. For some teams it is a small problem, for us it is a huge problem," Mourinho said.

"Smalling is Smalling, Diego was adapting very well and now he too is out. Obviously, it will be very tough for us."