Atalanta's winning streak ends

They edged out Inter to keep the top Serie A spot despite the 1-1 draw with Lazio

ROME/MILAN:

Atalanta's winning streak in Serie A ended with a 1-1 draw at Lazio on Saturday, as Fisayo Dele-Bashiru's first-half goal for the hosts was cancelled out by a late equaliser from Marco Brescianini.

The result ended Atalanta's streak of 11 consecutive victories but Gian Piero Gasperini's side are still top of the table with 41 points, one ahead of Inter Milan who won 3-0 at Cagliari earlier on Saturday. Lazio are fourth with 35 points.

Lazio started aggressively in the opening minutes, with Atalanta keeper Marco Carnesecchi saving a double chance from Valentin Castellanos before Matteo Guendouzi capped the attack by sending a long-range effort off the post.

Atalanta had their first big chance around the 20-minute mark when Davide Zappacosta sent a low volley that skimmed the outside of the far post.

After dominating the first half, Lazio were rewarded in the 27th minute when Nicolo Rovella played a high through ball to Dele-Bashiru, who cut inside the box and sent a bouncing volley into the net to break the deadlock.

"The most important chances came in the second half. If we had scored earlier, we would have had more opportunities to turn the game around after a very difficult first half where Lazio deserved their lead," Gasperini told DAZN streaming services. "We couldn't handle their intensity, with all their players pressing hard. We struggled to win the ball back. On their goal, they were quicker than us in midfield.

"It took us a while to find our footing. Partly due to our shortcomings and largely because of their quality, we suffered a lot in the first half. Then in the second half, we played a different game."

After Lazio's goal, Atalanta grew into the match, with Ademola Lookman forcing the hosts' keeper Ivan Provedel into a fingertip save just after the hour mark.

Lazio had a chance to effectively seal the match when a cross from a counterattack went past the still-reorganizing Atalanta defence, but Boulaye Dia failed to connect with the ball, unmarked in front of the goal.

Atalanta might have equalised minutes later when a corner landed at the feet of an unmarked Lookman just in front of goal, but defender Luca Pellegrini cleared the attempt off the line.

The thrilling final act of the match continued as Dia found an opportunity to double Lazio's lead moments later, sending a powerful strike towards Carnesecchi, who managed to push it away.

The visitors earned their draw when Brescianini easily tapped in an open goal from short distance two minutes before full-time, after Lookman served him from the left past Provedel.

"It was a tough match, the first half was very difficult for us, but we fought and on another day might've won the game. We drew today, but we didn't lose, so it's positive," Lookman said to Sky Sports Italia. "The club had a fantastic 2024, so we want to continue doing the same thing and the new year will be even better."

Inter provisionally top of Serie A

Inter Milan moved provisionally top of Serie A on Saturday with a 3-0 win at Cagliari which put the champions ahead of Atalanta on goal difference.

Second-half goals from Alessandro Bastoni, Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu decided an engaging match in Sardinia to give Inter their fifth straight win in Italy's top flight.

Atalanta can reclaim top spot later on Saturday when they face fourth-placed Lazio in Rome, looking for a club record-extending 12th league win on the bounce without injured star striker Mateo Retegui.

Cagliari are just inside the relegation zone after a fourth consecutive defeat for Davide Nicola's side.

"The most important thing is that Inter win. If I get a goal too, then that's a bonus," said Martinez, who broke an eight-match scoring drought with his 71st-minute strike.

"We work hard every day to win trophies and anyone who sets foot on the pitch will give their all for the team. We've just got to keep going and make 2025 like this year."

Inter could have won by a more convincing scoreline at the Unipol Domus stadium had captain Martinez not wasted great chances in each half before prodding home Nicolo Barella's cross.

Argentina striker Martinez hadn't scored since November 3 and looked to be having another bad day in front of goal when he somehow failed to push home Calhanoglu's cross midway through the first half.