Edin Dzeko’s first half brace was not enough as Roma threw away a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 against Atalanta at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia in Serie A.
The Bosnian struck early before doubling his tally midway through the first half, and was joined on the scoresheet by Stephan El Shaarawy as Roma raced into a healthy lead.
After Timothy Castagne pulled one back before half time, Atalanta dominated the second period, with Rafael Toloi and Duvan Zapata completing a sensational comeback. It was no less than La Dea deserved after a sensational second half display.
Roma got off to the perfect start with a well-worked goal after only two minutes. Aleksandr Kolarov received the ball out on the left and after some patient play, bent a teasing cross into the box for Nicolo Zaniolo to smartly chest into the path of Dzeko. The Bosnian made no mistake as he broke the offside trap and coolly slotted home.
The hosts sprung into life and Papu Gomez proved to be the driving force, as the captain spun and floated a magnificent long ball between Roma’s centre-backs, though Josip Ilicic could only blaze his volley wide.
As Atalanta pushed forward they were left dangerously exposed at the back, with Roma proving ruthless on the counter.
With half an hour gone, Steven Nzonzi slipped Dzeko through with a well-weighted pass off the back of a broken down Orobici attack, and the Bosnian did well to round the on-rushing Etrit Berisha and rifle in.
Shortly after, Roma looked to have put the game to bed as Atalanta again left themselves open in defence. Kostas Manolas pinched the ball from Zapata on the edge of his own box to launch the ball forward for Nicolo Zaniolo, and the teenager’s sumptuous lofted pass across the penalty area was driven home by El Shaarawy.
A pulsating first half was not finished though as Atalanta pulled one back on the stroke of half time. Gomez collected Ilicic’s backheel to cross into a crowded box and Castagne stepped in front of Rick Karsdorp to head in at the far post.
Atalanta came flying out of the blocks after the break and almost pulled one back immediately, as Ilicic was sent clear in the box but miscontrolled from five yards out.
Roma were struggling to repel the waves of attacks and the hosts reduced the deficit further on the hour mark, as Toloi rose highest to power a wonderful header into the top corner from Gomez’s cross.
Midway through the half, La Dea were presented with a golden opportunity to level from the spot, asKolarov was adjudged to have brought down Ilicic, courtesy of VAR. Zapata stepped up but blazed well over the crossbar, only to redeem himself one minute later.
The powerful Colombian met Ilicic’s threaded pass to brush off Marcano and place the ball under Robin Olsen and complete the most unlikely of comebacks.
The Giallorossi were shellshocked and struggled to get out of their own half, as Atalanta pressed for a winner. Zapata came close once more as he fired a vicious shot in from the edge of the box, but Olsen did well to hold on.
