Fiorentina and Atalanta produced an exciting 2-2 stalemate in Serie A, yet neither club did enough to alter their poor run of results. Both sides had chances to secure all three points in an open match, with the visitors twice going ahead before Fiorentina momentarily led.
The outcome prolonged a tough period for two teams who have experienced much better times in recent campaigns. Atalanta were especially depleted by injuries, while Fiorentina were aiming to halt a streak of three straight losses.
Injury woes deepen for Fiorentina and Atalanta
Fiorentina had shown brief improvement after Paolo Vanoli’s return, but three consecutive defeats quickly brought their issues back to the surface. Their injury list expanded as Marin Pongracic joined Luca Ranieri, Arthur Atta, and Fabiano Parisi on the sidelines.
Atalanta arrived in even poorer shape, with Gianluca Scamacca, Raoul Bellanova, Giacomo Raspadori, Franck Kessie, Sead Kolasinac, Isak Hien, and Odilon Kossounou all out. Giorgio Scalvini’s return to the bench was a rare boost for the visitors, who had won just one of their last six Serie A games after a 4-4 draw with Frosinone.
Their predicament worsened almost instantly when Thomas Kristensen suffered a thigh issue after only two minutes. The defender had to be replaced, forcing Scalvini into action far sooner than expected.
Atalanta go in front via De Ketelaere
Fiorentina began with intent, as Mateo Pellegrino and Alex Jimenez both missed the target before Franco Mastantuono tested Marco Carnesecchi at the near post. Atalanta slowly built momentum, with Eljif Elmas having an attempt blocked after Charles De Ketelaere set up the chance from the left.
Carnesecchi then reacted swiftly to deny Cher Ndour’s double-deflected shot, while Gianluca Gaetano fired over after a pass from Elmas. Mastantuono also went close with a curling effort that narrowly missed.
The deadlock was finally broken by a rapid Atalanta counter. Gaetano dispossessed Niccolò Fagioli in midfield, allowing Nicola Zalewski to surge forward and send a low cross from the left. De Ketelaere was ideally placed to convert from 12 yards and put La Dea ahead.
Atalanta nearly doubled their lead soon after, but David De Gea made a superb save to scoop Nikola Krstovic’s header off the goal line.
Fiorentina fight back after the interval
The second half saw an unexpected change in the officiating crew, as referee Federico La Penna could not continue. Fourth official Livio Marinelli took over as the match restarted.
Fiorentina came close to levelling when Mastantuono sent a free kick over the wall, only for the ball to brush the post. Their pressure finally told as Jimenez delivered a fine cross to the far post, where Alieu Njie arrived to head in with a diving finish.
The game grew more open, and Fiorentina escaped danger when a De Ketelaere pass across the box was intercepted before Krstovic could convert. The hosts then completed their comeback through Joao Mario, whose shot from outside the area took a heavy deflection off Relja Obric and left Carnesecchi stranded.
Atalanta hit back through Krstovic, who curled an effort wide after De Ketelaere cleverly let the ball run across him. The Belgian also went down under pressure from Cher Ndour, but the referee saw no grounds for a penalty.
De Ketelaere helps Atalanta earn a point
Atalanta eventually equalised thanks to De Ketelaere’s involvement once more. The Belgian supplied the assist as Zalewski drove a powerful shot through a crowded box, beating De Gea at his near post to make it 2-2.
Both teams kept pushing for a winner in the closing minutes. Carnesecchi used his legs to stop Brescianini at the near post, while De Ketelaere forced De Gea into another fine save with a strong effort.
Atalanta brought on Beto late in the match, and the substitute had a chance to grab victory in stoppage time. However, his header went wide, leaving the sides to share a point after an entertaining contest.