The challenge for a place in the Champions League is becoming increasingly exciting. Atalanta took advantage of home advantage, easily defeated Empoli 2-0 and was close to fifth place for Roma who in the final with a header from Abraham (he hadn’t scored for a year) gave the Giallorossi a golden draw against Napoli who managed to turn the match around with Olivera and Osimhen on a penalty after the goal, again from 11 metres, at the start of the second half by Dybala. La Dea overtakes Lazio and therefore puts the Giallorossi’s breath down their necks who still remain in the wake of Bologna (-4) but now find themselves with an advantage of only two points over the Bergamo players (59 to 57 points) who still have to recover the match against Fiorentina. The challenge that the Dea and the Giallorossi will face on May 12th in Bergamo will therefore have a Champions League play-off flavour.
Napoli can complain about the many opportunities they missed in front of goal but Osinmhen and his teammates once again faced a decisive Svilar in at least a couple of interventions which contributed to giving Roma a precious equaliser. For the former Italian champions this was perhaps the last opportunity to get back into the running for a place in the Champions League but they were unable to take advantage of the progression of Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia, who appeared more toned and lively compared to their last outings. At ‘Maradona’ the first half hour was balanced with a very low pace, then the Neapolitans increased the pace, coming close to scoring the lead several times. The clearest opportunity is at the feet of Anguissa who, after a perfect assist from Osimhen, launches into the open field, enters the area but only in front of Svilar, who kicks a right-footed shot wide. Osimhen then tries a couple of times and Kvaratskhelia also shows up with his rips.
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Roma struggled to get out of their own half and serve their attackers. In the second half Roma entered with greater determination and in the 59th minute after a save by Svilar on Lobotka, they earned a penalty for a naive foul by Juan Jesus on Azmoun: Dybala scored from the spot and surpassed his 12 seasonal goals from last season. Napoli reacted immediately, went under and with a bit of luck found the equalizer five minutes later with the Uruguayan Olivera whose shot from the edge of the box was deflected by Kristensen, with the ball drawing a mocking trajectory for Svilar. The match changes face. The Neapolitans begin a long assault, Osimhen and Kvara manage to build trajectories that recall the splendid ones of last season. In the 71st minute the Nigerian was the protagonist of one of his runs full of power and speed and only a splendid intervention by Svilar at the exit prevented the goal. In ’84 Sanches fouls Kvaratskhelia, it’s a penalty for VAR and Osimhen gives the overtaking. For Napoli it seems done but in the 90th minute Abraham came on in place of Azmoun and hits the header.
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Even in this circumstance, a consultation with the VA is necessary to evaluate the regularity of the goal for the final 2-2. At the ‘Gewiss Stadium’ the first half was without great excitement with the Dea holding the ball but almost never managing to finish on goal. Empoli showed themselves courageously forward but in the final the match broke the deadlock due to the penalty converted by Pasalic following a foul by Pezzella on Toure. At the start of the second half Atalanta doubled their lead with a left-footed shot from Lookman which made the Nerazzurri’s match all downhill. ‘Empoli in fact tries to give a shock but the Goddess controls with order, preventing the Tuscans from becoming dangerous. Atanta is approaching Roma and dreams. Now for the two teammates there are commitments in the Europa League before the direct clash in the championship.
