Serie A: Atalanta Extend Unbeaten Run with 2-0 Win Over Roma

Atalanta extended their unbeaten run to five games with a 2-0 win over Roma in Serie A, closing the gap on leaders Napoli to just one point.

Atalanta continued their impressive run of form with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. This win narrowed the gap to the top of the Serie A table to just one point, as Atalanta maintained their pursuit of leaders Napoli.

Atalanta traveled to the Italian capital with the intention of applying pressure on Napoli, while also facing a Roma side desperate to revive their season. The Giallorossi had struggled in recent league games, suffering four defeats in their last five outings, and were eager to arrest their slump against high-flying Atalanta.

Roma made a promising start to the match, with Leandro Paredes unleashing a powerful shot from outside the box that forced Marco Carnesecchi into an early save. This opportunity sparked a brief period of intensity, but it soon dissipated, leaving both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances.

As the first half progressed, openings became scarce for both sides. Manu Kone's long-range effort whizzed past the post, representing one of the few notable chances for Roma. Notably, the hosts' defensive efforts were impressive, as they successfully stifled Atalanta's typically fluid attack. The final ball proved elusive for both teams before the break, setting the stage for an intriguing second half.

The second half began in a similar vein to the first, with neither team able to muster any meaningful attacking threat. As the hour mark approached, it became apparent that the interval had done little to inspire either side, with no shots on goal recorded since the restart.

However, with just over 20 minutes remaining, Sead Kolsinac finally broke the deadlock in terms of chances, albeit with a shot that sailed well wide of the target. This attempt seemed to galvanize his teammates, and shortly afterwards, Marten de Roon made the breakthrough. The Dutch midfielder unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, which took a wicked deflection before beating Mile Svilar in the Roma goal.

Roma struggled to regain their footing after conceding the opening goal, and their fortunes took a further downturn when two former players combined to double Atalanta's lead. Juan Cuadrado provided the assist, finding Nicolo Zaniolo in the box, and the Italian international made no mistake, rifling a header into the back of the net to seal the win for the visitors.

The victory extends Atalanta's unbeaten run to 13 games across all competitions, as they continue to push for the Scudetto. In stark contrast, Roma's defeat marks their fourth consecutive loss, leaving them languishing in 15th place and precariously close to the relegation zone. The Giallorossi's inability to find the back of the net has proven costly, and they will need to address this issue if they hope to turn their season around.