No mercy from Atalanta as Monza’s Serie A dream dies
MONZA, Italy :Atalanta cruised to a 4-0 win at Monza on Sunday, solidifying third place and condemning the hosts to relegation from Serie A.
Atalanta are now in control of the third place as they have 68 points with three rounds remaining. Lazio are fourth with 63 points and Juventus, who play Bologna later on Sunday, in fifth with 62.
For Monza, their Serie A run ends with a whimper, as the club sit rock bottom with just 15 points - 12 adrift of Lecce in the last safe spot.
Charles De Ketelaere started the show with a quick brace, first by dribbling past two defenders into the box for a cool finish after 12 minutes, then taking advantage of a Monza defensive error to score his second 11 minutes later.
Ademola Lookman then sealed Monza's fate with a third goal for Atalanta two minutes after the break, finishing with his left foot after shaking off his marker during a run.
The hosts' misery deepened late in the game when Omari Forson’s diving header, which could have pulled one back, was brilliantly saved on the line by Atalanta keeper Marco Carnesecchi - before Marco Brescianini added a fourth for the visitors two minutes from time.
The match unfolded against a sombre backdrop, following the fatal stabbing of a 26-year-old Atalanta fan in Bergamo.
In a poignant tribute, the visiting supporters unveiled a banner behind the goal, honouring the fan.
Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini was not impressed with his side's start despite two early goals.
"After the first half I wasn't very happy, despite the two goals scored. There was a drop in concentration and we can't afford that," he told a press conference.
"The goal of reaching the Champions League next season is very close, I expect the best from everyone in the last three rounds."
