With their sixth straight win, Atalanta momentarily took the lead in Serie A after defeating Udinese 2-1 thanks to a goal from Kamara. But injuries are also increasing in frequency.
Early on for Atalanta, Maduka Okoye stooped to block a cross-shot from Mario Pasalic, but Udinese quickly responded, forcing Marco Carnesecchi to make two saves on Sandi Lovric and Keinan Davis.
When Matteo Ruggeri’s drive was parried into Mateo Retegui’s path to nod in, Atalanta had the ball in the net at 13 minutes, but it was disallowed because Ademola Lookman made the final touch while offside.
Shortly thereafter, Martin Payero had a fantastic opportunity, as his fierce curler from the right foot struck the crossbar.
Additionally, Carnesecchi reached down to touch the scratched Florian Thauvin finish near the near post’s base. Marten de Roon had to dive into defense as the Udinese player slid and collided with Berat Djimsiti, exacerbating the injury issues. Davis was given a goal disallowed shortly afterward for pushing De Roon in the back.
To avoid an odd own goal, a clearance bounced back and forth between Kamara and Jaka Bijol, two Udinese teammates. On the stroke of halftime, a Samardzic corner gave Atalanta a double chance. Okoye first blocked the header from Odilon Kossounou, and then Bijol made a last-ditch block to halt the Retegui tap-in.
When Davide Zappacosta, who was recovering from an injury, was unable to keep up with Hassane Kamara down the left wing, he had the time and space to shoot a screamer into far corner from outside the box, breaking the deadlock in the first half stoppages.
After the restart, Thauvin had two chances: he had a lob over the empty net as the goalie stooped to anticipate Davis, and Carnesecchi had parried his initial attempt.
Instead, Atalanta equalized after a superb play that Samardzic initiated. Mario Pasalic used the inside of his right boot to sweep into the roof of the net first time from 12 yards out after Raoul Bellanova rolled across from the right.
Within five minutes, Toure’s misplaced attempt at a block caused another Bellanova cross from the right to be inadvertently diverted into his own net, completely changing the course of the match.
From a favorable position, Marco Brescianini scuffed a finish off target with his weak foot, but Nicolò Zaniolo was also sent off with an injury following Djimsiti and Zappacosta.
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