Pro Sports

Atalanta wins 2-1 in race for 2nd as Inter beats Napoli 2-0

Posted July 28, 2020 7:00 am

By DANIELLA MATAR

Atalanta's Alejandro Gomez, center, celebrates after he scored his side's first goal during a Seria A soccer match between Parma and Atalanta, at the Ennio Tardini stadium, in Parma, Italy, Tuesday, July 28, 2020 . (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP) The Associated Press

MILAN (AP) - Atalanta maintained its hopes of finishing second in Serie A as it came from behind to win 2-1 at Parma on Tuesday in the penultimate round of the season.

Ruslan Malinovskyi and Alejandro 'œPapu'ť Gomez scored in the second half after former Atalanta midfielder Dejan Kulusevski had given Parma the lead.

Atalanta remained a point behind second-place Inter, which beat Napoli 2-0. Inter visits Atalanta in its last match on Saturday.

Lazio is four points below Inter. It hosts already-relegated Brescia on Wednesday before ending its season at Napoli.

Juventus clinched a record-extending ninth successive Serie A title on Sunday but high-scoring Atalanta was targeting second spot and aiming to reach 100 league goals this season.

However, it was a lackluster start from the visitors and Kulusevski fired Parma in front two minutes from halftime, following a through-ball from Gervinho. The 20-year-old had earlier hit the post.

Kulusevski made only three substitute appearances for Atalanta before moving to Parma on loan last year. The Sweden international impressed so much that Juventus signed him in January but loaned him back to Parma for the rest of the season.

Atalanta was unbeaten since the restart of Serie A and it leveled in the 70th minute with a free kick from Malinovskyi.

Gomez scored what was to prove the winner six minutes from time, nutmegging Jasmin KurtiÄ‡ and driving into the bottom left corner. It was the Atalanta captain's first goal since the two sides met in January.

It was a frantic final few minutes that included Atalanta defender Hans Hateboer clearing a shot off the line.

INTER REVENGE

Inter also enhanced its chances of claiming second spot and avenged last month's Italian Cup semifinal defeat to Napoli, which went on to lift the trophy.

Inter was aggressive from the start and took the lead in the 11th minute. Marcelo BrozoviÄ‡'s cross went over the head of Romelu Lukaku but was put back into the center by Cristiano Biraghi for Danilo D'Ambrosio to slot home.

Napoli forced Inter goalkeeper Samir HandanoviÄ‡ into a series of good saves before Inter all but sealed the result with a stunning goal from Lautaro MartÃnez. The Argentina forward gathered the ball in midfield, raced forward and curled into the bottom right corner from 20 yards out.

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Atalanta's Alejandro Gomez celebrates after he scored his side's second goal during a Seria A soccer match between Parma and Atalanta, at the Ennio Tardini stadium, in Parma, Italy, Tuesday, July 28, 2020 . (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP) The Associated Press

Atalanta's Ruslan Malinovskyi, right, scores his side's first goal during a Seria A soccer match between Parma and Atalanta, at the Ennio Tardini stadium, in Parma, Italy, Tuesday, July 28, 2020 . (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP) The Associated Press

Parma's Dejan Kulusevski, center, celebrates after he scored his side's first goal during a Seria A soccer match between Parma and Atalanta, at the Ennio Tardini stadium, in Parma, Italy, Tuesday, July 28, 2020 . (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP) The Associated Press

Parma's Dejan Kulusevski, right, scores his side's first goal during a Seria A soccer match between Parma and Atalanta, at the Ennio Tardini stadium, in Parma, Italy, Tuesday, July 28, 2020 . (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP) The Associated Press

Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez, right, celebrates with his teammates after scoring g against Napoli, during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, July 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press

Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez, obscured, celebrates with his teammates after scoring g against Napoli, during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, July 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press

Inter Milan's head coach Antonio Conte, reacts during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, July 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press

Inter Milan's Danilo D'Ambrosio celebrates after scoring against Napoli during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Napoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, July 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press

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