Ademola Lookman was among the scorers as Atalanta delivered a scintillating performance to dismantle Monza 4-0 in their Serie A encounter on Sunday.
The Nigerian forward capped off a commanding team display with a close-range finish early in the second half, reinforcing Atalanta’s push for European qualification with just a few games left in the season.Recipe book
Atalanta started brightly at the U-Power Stadium, taking control of the match from the outset. The breakthrough came in the 12th minute when Mateo Retegui’s incisive pass found Charles De Ketelaere, who calmly slotted home to give the visitors the lead.
Monza attempted to respond quickly but were wasteful in front of goal. Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro and Samuele Birindelli both missed decent opportunities, while Atalanta remained ruthless on the counter.
De Ketelaere doubled the advantage in the 23rd minute, capitalising on poor Monza defending to notch his second of the game with another composed finish.
Lookman, who had gone close earlier in the match, finally got on the scoresheet in the 47th minute. Retegui turned provider again, nodding a cross into the path of the Nigerian, who tucked the ball away from close range to make it 3-0.Recipe book
Monza thought they had pulled one back in the 44th minute through Gaetano Castrovilli, but the goal was chalked off after a VAR review confirmed an offside in the build-up.
Despite late pressure from the hosts, including a stinging shot from Akpa Akpro that was superbly saved by Marco Carnesecchi, Atalanta continued to dominate proceedings.
The rout was completed two minutes from time when Marco Brescianini rifled a powerful effort into the roof of the net after a tidy layoff from Mario Pasalic. A brief VAR review confirmed there was no offside, sealing Atalanta’s emphatic victory.
With this win, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men remain firmly in contention for a top-four finish, while Lookman’s return to the scoresheet will be a welcome boost for both club and country ahead of a crucial run-in.