Atalanta secured a crucial 1-1 draw at Lazio on Saturday, preserving their place at the summit of Serie A while halting their record 11-match winning streak in the league.
Marco Brescianini’s late tap-in two minutes before the final whistle salvaged a point for the visitors at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, where Lazio fans had anticipated a statement victory.
The result keeps Atalanta one point ahead of Inter Milan, who earlier defeated Cagliari 3-0 to momentarily level on points. Napoli could also join the race at the top if they defeat Venezia on Sunday, but Atalanta’s superior goal difference ensures their lead.
Serie A rules dictate that if two teams finish tied at the top by the season’s end, they will play a single match to determine the title—a tantalizing prospect for Atalanta, who are chasing their first-ever Scudetto.
Lazio dominated the first half, with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru opening the scoring in the 27th minute. Marco Carnesecchi kept Atalanta in the game with spectacular saves, while Matteo Guendouzi hit the post with a curling effort.
Atalanta, missing star striker Mateo Retegui, grew into the match in the second half. Brescianini’s equalizer, his third goal this season, came after Ademola Lookman broke Lazio’s offside trap and set up the decisive play.
Earlier in the day, Lautaro Martinez ended an eight-match goal drought as Inter Milan cruised past Cagliari. Goals from Alessandro Bastoni, Martinez, and Hakan Calhanoglu sealed Inter’s fifth consecutive Serie A win.
Martinez, who netted his seventh goal of the season, expressed satisfaction with the team’s form: “The most important thing is that Inter win. If I score, that’s a bonus. We’re working to make 2025 just as successful as this year.”
For Cagliari, the defeat marks their fourth consecutive loss, leaving them just inside the relegation zone. They remain a point behind Verona and Como, who play on Monday.
Atalanta now turn their attention to the Italian Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, where they face Inter on Thursday in what promises to be another fierce contest.
