A decisive goal from Davide Zappacosta proved sufficient for Atalanta to overcome Verona in a tense encounter, a day also marked by a significant milestone for club veteran Marten de Roon.
Having recently been knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich and struggling in Serie A with only two points from their last three matches, La Dea desperately needed a win. The team faced further challenges with Gianluca Scamacca sidelined by a fresh injury, though Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori were gradually regaining full fitness. Hellas Verona, on their part, contended with the absences of Armel Bella-Kotchap, Domagoj Bradaric, Sandi Lovric, and Suat Serdar.
The match was particularly noteworthy for Marten de Roon, who celebrated his 436th appearance, setting a new all-time record for Atalanta.
Early in the game, Verona’s goalkeeper, Lorenzo Montipò, expertly parried away a powerful header from Nikola Krstovic. Montipò was later left exposed when Davide Zappacosta delivered a low cross across the six-yard box, which was sensationally blocked by Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro, denying an easy tap-in for Ederson.
Atalanta eventually broke the deadlock when Davide Zappacosta unleashed a powerful, low shot from the edge of the penalty area. The ball navigated through a cluster of defenders, took a deflection, and curled past the goalkeeper’s outstretched gloves into the far bottom corner of the net.
The second half began with Verona almost leveling the score. Kieron Bowie deftly flicked on a cross from Rafik Belghali from six yards out, but his effort was spectacularly saved by Marco Carnesecchi, who reacted with incredible speed.
Later, De Ketelaere intercepted a wayward pass from Gift Orban, setting Krstovic clean through on goal. However, Krstovic’s lob sailed over the rushing Montipò but unfortunately bounced off the top of the crossbar.
Verona’s goalkeeper was forced into action again to deal with a cross-shot from Mario Pasalic. Hellas Verona squandered a golden opportunity to equalize in the 77th minute when Orban, with ample time and space after a knockdown, fired his shot over the bar from just 12 yards out. Orban also tested Carnesecchi with another shot from outside the box, and a late dribble into the area by Belghali ended with his shot being blocked by Isak Hien after he lost his balance.
