By Olaitan Ibrahim
In a match packed with tension and drama, Napoli edged out Atalanta with a thrilling 3-2 victory at the Gewiss Stadium, leaving the home crowd stunned despite a spirited performance from Nigerian star Ademola Lookman.
Atalanta struck first in the 16th minute through Mateo Retegui, whose clinical finish gave the home side a dream start. However, Napoli quickly responded, with Matteo Politano capitalising on a defensive lapse to level the score in the 27th minute.
The visitors then surged ahead before halftime, thanks to a stunning strike by Scott McTominay, whose precise effort rattled the net in the 40th minute.
Ademola Lookman reignited hope for Atalanta in the 55th minute, pouncing on a loose ball inside the box and slotting it past Alex Meret to make it 2-2.
The home side pressed for a winner, with Lookman and Lazar Samardzic leading a series of attacks, but Napoli’s defence held firm.
The decisive moment came in the 78th minute when Frank Anguissa delivered a perfect cross for Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker’s towering header left Marco Carnesecchi helpless, sealing the victory for the visitors.
Atalanta’s late efforts to salvage a draw fell short as Napoli’s disciplined defence thwarted every attempt. The match was marred by a flurry of yellow cards, reflecting the intense battle between the two sides.
For Atalanta, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow, especially for Lookman, whose performance deserved more than just personal accolades.
With this victory, Napoli secured a crucial three points, showcasing their resilience and attacking prowess.