Serie A 2024-25: Late Lukaku header helps Napoli beat Atalanta 3-2
Serie A 2024-25: Late Lukaku header helps Napoli beat Atalanta 3-2
Romelu Lukaku scored a late goal to earn Napoli a 3-2 win at Atalanta on Saturday and strengthen its position at the top of the Serie A 2024-25 standings.
The Belgian striker netted 12 minutes from time with a glancing header from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s cross.
Napoli, which lost 3-0 at home to Atalanta earlier this season, leads the table with 50 points, six ahead of Inter Milan which has two games in hand with Atalanta third on 43.
Atalanta went into the match after three consecutive league draws and the loss to Napoli ended its 16-match unbeaten run.
“It was a great performance against a very, very strong team. The 3-0 they won against us stayed in our heads, but we have made a big step up since then and now we need to keep going,” Lukaku told Sky Sports Italia.
“It is another test to see where we are right now, because it’s easy to relax after a victory like this, whereas we need to keep focused and try even harder,” he added.
Serie A top scorer Mateo Retegui continued his outstanding form, scoring his 14th league goal with a left-footed strike into the top corner after 16 minutes to give Atalanta the lead.
Matteo Politano brought Napoli level 11 minutes later, capitalising on a deflected cross that fell into his path.
Napoli struck back five minutes before the break when Anguissa reached the byline and pulled the ball back for Scott McTominay to slot home from close range.
Atalanta striker Ademola Lookman equalised five minutes after the break, nutmegging Giovanni Di Lorenzo before driving into the box under pressure from three Napoli defenders and sending a low shot into the bottom corner.
Atalanta continued to cause problems but Lukaku’s goal proved decisive for Napoli which hosts Juventus next Saturday.