Slow to recover from midweek Europa League exit, Roma slumped to a detrimental 2-1 defeat to fellow Serie A top-five rivals Atalanta. Daniele De Rossi can be happy to return home with a minimal loss, given the number of chances La Dea created at the Gewiss Stadium.
Writings were on the wall in the 20th minute as Charles De Ketelaere’s quick-fire brace gave Roma a mountain to climb. Atalanta ripped Roma apart on either side of halftime, but a lack of finishing and Mile Svilar’s impressive saves kept Giallorossi alive until the final seconds.
Roma punished Atalanta’s profligacy midway through the second half as Lorenzo Pellegrini put away a penalty after Marten de Roon brought Tammy Abraham to the ground. The Italy international had the visitors’ best chance to salvage a draw, but Marco Carnesecchi denied his half-volley with a superb save.
In the end, Roma left Bergamo defeated but not humiliated, largely thanks to Atalanta’s inexplicable misses. However, this loss might have doused the last ember of optimism that Giallorossi could qualify for next season’s Champions League.
De Rossi’s charges now trail fifth-placed Atalanta by three points. With only two rounds left and La Dea having a game in hand, a top-five finish seems like a lost cause for Roma as we look at the Giallorossi ratings.
