Brescianini's Late Strike Earns Atalanta Draw Against Lazio

Atalanta came from behind to rescue a late point against Lazio, thanks to Marco Brescianini's 88th-minute equalizer.

Atalanta's impressive 11-game winning streak in Serie A came to an end at the Stadio Olimpico, as Fisayo Dele-Bashiru's goal gave Lazio the lead. However, Marco Brescianini scored a late equalizer to rescue a point for the league leaders.

Atalanta entered the match as the unbeaten table-toppers, having last suffered a defeat on September 24 in a 3-2 loss to Como. Despite missing key players Mateo Retegui, Gianluca Scamacca, and Matteo Ruggeri, La Dea was also looking ahead to their upcoming Supercoppa Italiana clash against Inter on January 2. Meanwhile, Lazio was seeking redemption after a humiliating 6-0 loss to Inter, and they had already secured a win in Lecce. However, the Aquile were without several injured players, including Tijjani Noslin, Pedro, Manuel Lazzari, and Matias Vecino.

Lazio burst out of the gates with an aggressive approach, creating a remarkable triple scoring opportunity. Goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi made two crucial saves in rapid succession, denying Taty Castellanos on both occasions. The pressure continued to mount as Matteo Guendouzi unleashed a curling shot that thundered against the far post, leaving Carnesecchi helpless.

The Aquile maintained their relentless pursuit of the opening goal, with Davide Zappacosta's volley narrowly missing the target from the edge of the area. However, Lazio's persistence eventually paid off when Nicolò Rovella's well-weighted pass found Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who showcased his quick reflexes to beat Marten de Roon and Sead Kolasinac to the ball. Dele-Bashiru then clinically blasted the ball into the net with his right foot, handing Lazio a well-deserved lead.

As the first half drew to a close, Lazio came agonizingly close to doubling their lead. Davide Zappacosta's cross from the right flank found its way to the back post, where both Mario Pasalic and Berat Djimsiti attempted to make contact. However, the ball narrowly evaded both players, flashing inches wide of the upright.

The introduction of Juan Cuadrado at the start of the second half injected new life into Atalanta's attack. Cuadrado should have leveled the score on 53 minutes, but his header from Raoul Bellanova's cross sailed into the side-netting at the far post. Ademola Lookman also spurned a headed opportunity from another Bellanova cross, while Ivan Provedel was forced to make a spectacular fingertip save to divert Lookman's angled drive around the post. As the match wore on, Atalanta continued to push forward in search of an equalizer.

Lazio squandered a gilt-edged opportunity to extend their lead when Boulaye Dia failed to make contact with a low, inviting cross from Taty Castellanos, which had found its way to the six-yard box on the counter-attack. The miss proved costly, as Atalanta continued to push for an equalizer.

Ademola Lookman thought he had finally broken through for Atalanta on 75 minutes, but his celebrations were short-lived. Ederson had flicked on Juan Cuadrado's corner to the back post, where Lookman appeared to have scored from point-blank range. However, Luca Pellegrini produced a desperate goal-line clearance to deny Lookman. Boulaye Dia then forced Marco Carnesecchi into a smart save, but Atalanta's relentless pressure eventually paid off in the 88th minute.

The equalizer arrived when Nicolò Zaniolo flicked the ball to the back post, finding Ademola Lookman. In a moment of unselfishness, Lookman rolled the ball across the face of the goal, presenting substitute Marco Brescianini with a simple tap-in from four yards. Replays confirmed that Brescianini was onside, as he had begun his run behind the line of the ball, allowing him to score the crucial equalizing goal.