Charles De Ketelaere scored twice to earn Serie A leaders Atalanta a huge 3-2 triumph over Empoli to move two points clear of Napoli at the summit of the standings.
De Ketelaere netted a dramatic 86th minute winner, earning Gian Piero Gasperini’s side a 13th home win of the season, more than any team in Europe’s top five leagues.
But Atalanta found themselves behind early on when Lorenzo Colombo finished beyond Marco Carnesecchi, scoring his 10th away league goal in 2024.
However, parity was restored just past the half-hour mark when De Ketelaere headed home after being picked out by Davide Zappacosta’s teasing delivery.
Atalanta then took the lead in first half stoppage time when the recently crowned African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, who coolly slotted in from close range.
But Empoli dragged themselves level in the 57th minute courtesy of Sebastiano Esposito’s penalty after Alberto Grassi was brought down inside the box by Berat Djimsiti.
And with the game looking set to end level, De Ketelaere danced his way into the area before drilling a low shot into the bottom corner to earn his side the win.
“We came back against a team that played well,” Gasperini told Sky Italia.
“The two goals conceded were due to a lapse in concentration and a penalty given by VAR. Winning it (the match) was a great achievement.”
The Atalanta coach was also full of praise for match-winner De Ketelaere, saying: “He gained confidence and improved his heading ability, as he showed today.
“The second goal is truly extraordinary, coming from a wide position.”
Data Debrief: Home comforts
Gasperini’s side have been the standout performers in Serie A this term, with their latest triumph having them dreaming of winning a maiden Scudetto title.
And their impressive form has been built at the Gewiss Stadium. Atalanta have now recorded their best tally of home wins in a single calendar year since 1929-30 (19), while also achieving their highest goals tally (124) since that same campaign 95 years ago (126).
They have also won 11 games in a row for the first time in their history in Serie A. The last two teams that won 11 consecutive games went on to win the competition (Napoli in 2022-23 and Inter in 2020-21).
And their success this season has been helped by their star front line. In Mateo Retegui (14), Lookman (12) and De Ketelaere (10), Atalanta are the only team with three players to have scored at least 10 goals this season in Europe’s top five leagues.
