It was a simply extraordinary match in Bergamo, as Atalanta and Torino threw everything at each other for a 4-4 thriller.
This Week 20 fixture was originally scheduled for January 6, but called off due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the Granata squad.
Andrea Belotti was back from injury, but Rolando Mandragora was ruled out by flu with Armando Izzo and Mohamed Fares. Joakim Maehle, Giuseppe Pezzella, Rafael Toloi and Teun Koopmeiners missed out for the hosts.
Torino took the lead almost immediately, Dennis Praet bursting down the right and rolling across for Antonio Sanabria to bundle over the line from close range.
Serie A Liveblog: Bologna-Inter, Fiorentina-Udinese and Atalanta-Torino
Ricardo Rodriguez brought down Davide Zappacosta for a penalty which Luis Muriel converted with a central and fairly weak spot-kick that still beat Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
Hans Hateboer had the ball in the net moments later too, but was just offside on the Muriel through ball.
Atalanta did turn it around to lead 2-1 with a smart corner routine, Muriel taking it short for Marten de Roon to smash first-time into the roof of the net from 14 yards.
Duvan Zapata’s back-heel flick from another Zappacosta run was well saved, while Torino lost Marko Pjaca to injury.
The Granata also received a penalty for Remo Freuler’s light nudge on the back of Sanabria. Sasa Lukic converted into the bottom corner beyond the fingertips of Juan Musso.
After the restart, Gleison Bremer made a desperate block to deflect Duvan Zapata’s effort over the bar, but Rafael Toloi mis-timed his challenge on Tommaso Pobega for another penalty converted by Lukic.
Atalanta’s self-destruction continued moments later, Sanabria pulling back from the by-line for what would’ve been a Lukic hat-trick, only Remo Freuler got there first and fired into his own net.
La Dea would not give in, Mario Pasalic springing the offside trap with a run from deep onto a Muriel through ball, beating the on-rushing goalkeeper for 4-3.
They completed the comeback for 4-4 when Zima was penalised following a VAR review for handball, allowing Muriel to convert the penalty.
Both sides pushed to the end for a winner in this extraordinary match, a perfect example of the strengths and weaknesses of Gian Piero Gasperini and his pupil Ivan Juric.
Atalanta 4-4 Torino
Sanabria 4 (T), Muriel pens 18, 83 (A), De Roon 23 (A), Lukic pens 36, 63 (T), Freuler og 67 (T), Pasalic 78 (A)
But Atalanta play good attacking football…
@NOrata
Yes, they do. You should be an analyst. Shame they can’t defend.
Despite the excitement of a 4 – 4, the bigger problem is having only 4 Italians from 22 starting.