Fiorentina and Atalanta played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Serie A, but neither side did enough to change their disappointing run of form. Both teams had opportunities to claim all three points in an open contest, with the visitors twice taking the lead before Fiorentina briefly moved ahead.
The result extended a difficult spell for two clubs who have enjoyed considerably better fortunes in recent seasons. Atalanta were particularly stretched by injuries, while Fiorentina were looking to arrest a run of three successive defeats.
Fiorentina's and Atalanta's injury problems worsen
Fiorentina had enjoyed a short-lived improvement following Paolo Vanoli’s return, but three consecutive defeats had quickly brought their problems back into focus. Their injury list also grew with Marin Pongracic joining Luca Ranieri, Arthur Atta, and Fabiano Parisi on the sidelines.
Atalanta arrived in even worse condition, with Gianluca Scamacca, Raoul Bellanova, Giacomo Raspadori, Franck Kessie, Sead Kolasinac, Isak Hien, and Odilon Kossounou all unavailable. Giorgio Scalvini’s return to the bench offered a rare positive for the visitors, who had won only one of their previous six Serie A matches after drawing 4-4 with Frosinone.
Their situation deteriorated almost immediately when Thomas Kristensen pulled up with a thigh problem after just two minutes. The defender was forced off, bringing Scalvini into the action much earlier than anticipated.
Atalanta takes the lead through De Ketelaere
Fiorentina started aggressively, with Mateo Pellegrino and Alex Jimenez both missing the target before Franco Mastantuono tested Marco Carnesecchi at the near post. Atalanta gradually found their rhythm, with Eljif Elmas seeing an attempt blocked after Charles De Ketelaere created the opportunity from the left.
Carnesecchi then had to react quickly to keep out Cher Ndour’s double-deflected effort, while Gianluca Gaetano fired over following a pass from Elmas. Mastantuono also came close with a curling attempt that drifted narrowly wide.
The breakthrough eventually arrived through a swift Atalanta counter-attack. Gaetano won possession from Niccolò Fagioli in midfield, allowing Nicola Zalewski to drive forward and deliver a low cross from the left. De Ketelaere was perfectly positioned to finish from 12 yards and put La Dea in front.
Atalanta almost doubled their advantage moments later, but David De Gea produced an outstanding save to claw Nikola Krstovic’s header away from the goal line.
Fiorentina turns the game around after the break
The second half brought an unexpected change in the officiating team, with referee Federico La Penna unable to continue. Fourth official Livio Marinelli took over his duties as the match resumed.
Fiorentina came close to equalising when Mastantuono sent a free kick over the defensive wall, only for the ball to graze the upright. Their pressure eventually paid off as Jimenez delivered an excellent cross towards the far post, where Alieu Njie arrived to head home with a diving finish.
The game became increasingly open, with Fiorentina escaping danger when a De Ketelaere pass across the penalty area was intercepted before Krstovic could turn it in. The hosts then completed their turnaround through Joao Mario, whose effort from outside the box took a significant deflection off Relja Obric and left Carnesecchi helpless.
Atalanta responded through Krstovic, who curled an effort wide after De Ketelaere cleverly allowed the ball to run across him. The Belgian also went down under pressure from Cher Ndour, but the referee saw no reason to award a penalty.
De Ketelaere helps Atalanta rescue a point
Atalanta eventually found their equaliser thanks to the involvement of De Ketelaere once again. The Belgian provided the assist as Zalewski drove a powerful effort through a crowded penalty area, catching De Gea out at his near post to make it 2-2.
Both sides continued searching for a winner during the closing stages. Carnesecchi used his legs to deny Brescianini at the near post, while De Ketelaere forced De Gea into another impressive save with a powerful attempt.
Atalanta introduced Beto late in the contest, and the substitute had an opportunity to snatch victory in stoppage time. However, his header went wide, leaving the teams to settle for a point apiece after an entertaining encounter.