Belotti's Brace Inspires Fiorentina's Triumph Against Atalanta
Atalanta vs
Fiorentina
Fiorentina clinched a resounding 3-2 victory over Atalanta in Sunday's Serie A showdown at Gewiss Stadium.
Atalanta equalised to 1-1 early in the match when Ademola Lookman made his mark, finding the net with an assist by Charles De Ketelaere in the 12th minute.
Just seven minutes later, Fiorentina took the lead again as Nicolás González scored, with Cristiano Biraghi providing the assist.
Atalanta fought back and equalised again to make it 2-2. Giorgio Scalvini scored with an assist from Lookman in the 32nd minute, though Scalvini was later forced off in the 84th minute.
The visiting team Fiorentina took an early lead when Andrea Belotti netted after six minutes, with an assist by Gaetano Castrovilli, making it 1-0.
Fiorentina took the lead once more just before the half-time whistle as Belotti scored again, this time assisted by Lucas Martínez Quarta. The second half was goalless, and the match ended with a 3-2 win for Fiorentina.
Sunday's game against La Dea was the final match for Vincenzo Italiano, who leaves the managerial role after three years where he steered Fiorentina to successive Europa Conference League finals.
"I think that when you reach a certain level and you can’t go beyond it and people demand extra effort, it’s time to leave," he said in an emotional parting note to the fans.
"I’ve given my all, and it’s right to turn the page, start again, and leave space for new ideas to help the team further improve and satisfy these fans. That’s what I told everyone on Friday when we took this decision," he added in the lengthy statement.