Ademola Lookman scored twice early in the match to surprise leaders Napoli and hand them their second defeat of the season. Atalanta's tactical surprises have become a true masterpiece.
The Chiefs were still without Stanislav Lobotka, so Billy Gilmour again took center field after the 2-0 win over Milan in midweek, using the same starting line-up. La Dea was also in good form in Serie A with four straight wins, but Gian Piero Gasperini sprung a big surprise by leaving Capocannoniere Mateo Retegui on the bench to shake up Antonio Conte's defense. Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini are injured.
Atalanta broke the deadlock after a spell of pressure when Matias Olivera's release went wide, allowing Charles De Ketelaere to turn the ball towards the back post for Lookman's volley from a very tight angle. Thus, Antonio Conte's team ended a streak of three goals in a row.
Scott McTominay almost equalized within 100 seconds, his powerful shot from the edge of the box hitting the post.
However, the visitors doubled their lead when De Ketelaere's counter-attack and pass downfield found Lookman, who cut back Giovanni Di Lorenzo and denied Alex Meret's glove with a low header from outside the area.
Isak Hien fought off Romelu Lukaku and headed home after a lucky rebound, while Berat Djimsiti prevented Matteo Politano from picking up Di Lorenzo's curling ball and Olivera failed to capitalize on a pass from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Mario Pasalic had a chance to make it 3-0 just before half-time, but his free header was wide after De Ketelaere's cross hit the far post. Kvaratskhelia tested Marco Carnesecchi from the restart, while Lookman was offside when his lob was cleared off the line. Sead Kolasinac had the ball in the net in the 57th minute but was offside on the deflected corner and a foul on Olivera at that point.
Amir Rrahmani headed wide and Ederson missed the target after a meandering lone run, but Carnesecchi reacted well to save Alessandro Buongiorno's header from a free-kick which was deflected in from close range by Matteo Ruggeri.
Napoli pushed forward but were almost caught out by Kossounou's counter-attack, which Lookman finished into the side netting.
Giovanni Simeone and Cyril Ngonge had their efforts saved, while the former Bologna winger also tested Carnesecchi at the far post. Retegui came on and made an impact anyway, with his superb low volley off the inside of his right foot from a Ruggeri cross into the far corner. His excessive celebration, removing his shirt, caused an angry reaction from Pasquale Mazzocchi on the bench and from Berat Djimsiti in response.
There has been just one pair in the last 19 Serie A meetings between these clubs, a 2-2 draw in October 2019, ending a run of 10 wins for Napoli and eight for Atalanta, who also won there 3- 0 last season.
Napoli 0-3 Atalanta
Lookman 10, 31 (A), Retegui 92 (A)
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