Lookman strikes as Atalanta stages 3-2 comeback against Empoli

Reigning African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s 3-2 victory over Empoli on Sunday, propelling Gian Piero Gasperini’s side back to the top of the Serie A standings.  

Charles De Ketelaere emerged as the hero with a brace, including the decisive goal in the 86th minute, to seal the thrilling encounter at the Gewiss Stadium.

Empoli struck first through Lorenzo Colombo’s 13th-minute opener, but Atalanta responded with De Ketelaere’s equalizer in the 34th minute.

Lookman then showcased his brilliance, netting his 12th goal of the season in first-half injury time to give Atalanta a 2-1 advantage at the break.

Sebastiano Esposito leveled the score for Empoli with a penalty in the 57th minute, leaving the match finely balanced.

As the game appeared to be heading for a draw, De Ketelaere stepped up in the dying minutes, securing Atalanta’s two-point cushion over Napoli, who had briefly topped the table following their 2-1 win at Genoa on Saturday.

The result underscores Atalanta’s title ambitions as they continue their impressive Serie A campaign.

The 23-year-old showed skill and composure to glide along the edge of the box until a chance presented itself, and he then fired off a disguised left-footed shot which flashed past the goalkeeper.

Earlier, Roma bounced back from last weekend’s surprise 2-0 loss at Como, which had left Claudio Ranieri’s side within two points of the drop zone, to thump Parma in the Italian capital.

Paulo Dybala hit a brace, with goals also coming from Alexis Saelemaekers, Leandro Paredes and Artem Dovbyk as Roma moved to 10th place.

Parma remain one point above the drop zone in 16th spot.

Dybala converted a penalty and Saelemaekers slammed home a volley to give the home side a 2-0 lead inside the opening quarter of an hour.

The Argentinian netted his second six minutes after the break. Paredes then scored from 12 yards in the 74th minute and Ukrainian striker Dovbyk put the cherry on top for the Romans with seven minutes remaining.

Venezia climbed off the bottom of the table with a vital 2-1 home win over fellow strugglers Cagliari.

Francesco Zampano and Marin Sverko scored either side of the break for the hosts, before Leonardo Pavoletti pulled one back for the Sardinians inside the final 15 minutes.

The result leaves Cagliari 18th on 14 points, one ahead of Venezia, with Monza propping up the standings with 10 points.

Monza can send Venezia back to the bottom of the pile later on Sunday, but to do so they must inflict a first league defeat of the season on Juventus.