Atalanta secured their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Roma on Monday, solidifying their position in Serie A’s top four with two matches left in the season.
Ademola Lookman opened the scoring early in the first half, giving Gian Piero Gasperini’s side a strong start. Roma drew level in the 32nd minute through a header from former Atalanta midfielder Bryan Cristante.
However, the decisive moment came in the 76th minute when Ibrahim Sulemana fired home to seal all three points for Atalanta. The win moved them seven points clear of fifth-placed Lazio, making their qualification for Europe’s premier club competition mathematically certain.
Roma, whose 19-match unbeaten run came to an end with the loss, now trail Lazio and Juventus—who are tied on points in fourth—by a single point. Their Champions League hopes remain alive but face a tough challenge as they prepare to host high-flying AC Milan next weekend, while Juventus will take on Udinese.
Despite the defeat, Roma’s campaign has been marked by a remarkable turnaround under Claudio Ranieri, who returned from retirement last November to manage his boyhood club for the third time. The team was in the relegation zone when he took over and has since risen into European contention.
Atalanta’s manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, continues to earn praise for his long-standing tenure and success with the Bergamo-based club, having led them to a Europa League triumph last season. Speculation continues over his future, with some tipping him as a potential successor to Ranieri.
