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·27 January 2024

Serie A | Atalanta 2-0 Udinese: De Ketelaere inspires Dea

Atalanta disposed of Udinese with Charles De Ketelaere assists for both Aleksei Miranchuk and Gianluca Scamacca, keeping the pressure on Fiorentina for fourth.

La Dea missed Teun Koopmeiners and Isak Hien, with Ademola Lookman at the Africa Cup of Nations. The Friulani were still without Jaka Bijol, Gerard Deulofeu, Keinan Davis and Enzo Ebosse, but despite one point from three rounds, had held the Viola and only narrowly lost to Lazio and Milan. Neuhen Perez was making his last appearance before the €18m transfer to Napoli.

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Scamacca aimed a header straight at the goalkeeper, then drilled just wide, while the deflected De Ketelaere angled drive was smothered.

Atalanta finally took the lead when De Ketelaere completed a give and go with Matteo Ruggeri down the left and pulled back for Miranchuk’s slightly scuffed finish from eight yards.

Udinese could’ve equalised moments later, but Marco Carnesecchi stood his ground and used an outstretched leg to deny Festy Ebosele.

Carnesecchi also used one strong hand to push the ferocious Lazar Samardzic strike over the bar, but the hosts doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time.

De Ketelaere knocked down a long throw-in for Scamacca, who immediately thumped the low angled drive through Joao Ferreira’s legs.

Okoye palmed away the acrobatic Emil Holm volley from another De Ketelaere cross, while a Sandri Lovric free kick caused problems for Carnesecchi.

Luis Muriel had a couple of solo efforts in stoppages, as Atalanta cruised to a fifth consecutive home victory.