Cristiano Ronaldo scored two penalties as Juventus snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw towards Atalanta on Saturday to take a large step in the direction of a ninth straight Serie A title. Lazio’s 2-1 loss to Sassuolo earlier within the day gave Atalanta, on an 11-match profitable streak heading into the sport, the prospect to maneuver second and reduce the hole to Juve to 6 factors. However regardless of trailing twice and being outplayed for lengthy durations, Maurizio Sarri’s Juventus moved eight factors clear on the prime with six matches remaining as Ronaldo took his tally to 28 league targets this season.
“We won’t make calculations but, we will not take our foot off the fuel till we’re mathematically champions,” mentioned Juve captain Leonardo Bonucci.
It was an finally irritating outing for Atalanta who keep third, 9 factors off the tempo, after conceding each spot-kicks for handball.
“What are we meant to do, reduce our arms off? You may at most put your arms in entrance of your physique,” Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini advised DAZN.
“The interpretation of the rule will not be the identical right here as elsewhere. Different international locations do not give penalties like that.
“These are the foundations right here, wonderful.”
Juve began brightly however it didn’t take lengthy for the guests to take management and begin to dominate possession.
Josip Ilicic fired the primary actual probability of the sport extensive, however Atalanta grabbed the lead within the 16th minute, scoring for the 25th consecutive match in all competitions.
Papu Gomez was the creator, wriggling free in midfield earlier than exchanging passes with Duvan Zapata earlier than sliding the ball again for the Colombian to drill dwelling his 15th league aim of the marketing campaign.
The aim made Atalanta the primary Serie A membership in nearly 70 years to have three gamers rating 15 occasions in a league season, with Zapata becoming a member of Ilicic and Luis Muriel in reaching the mark.
Zapata was proving an actual nuisance for Juve, with Matthijs de Ligt doing effectively to dam one other goalbound effort, earlier than the striker narrowly failed to attach with Timothy Castagne’s cross.
Paulo Dybala nearly levelled for the hosts towards the run of play, however his volley was deflected extensive.
The reigning champions have been gifted a route again into the sport 9 minutes after half-time as Marten de Roon was penalised for dealing with Dybala’s cross.
Cristiano Ronaldo stepped as much as rating his 27th Serie A aim this time period, drawing him inside two of Lazio’s Ciro Motionless on the prime of the goalscoring charts.
Atalanta continued to assault seeking the victory they wanted to spice up their title hopes, however shortly after substitute Muriel fired a free-kick into the wall, Malinovskiy’s low strike flicked the bottom of the put up.
Ronaldo nearly put Juve in entrance with 10 minutes to play, however visiting goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini made a wonderful save to maintain out the Portuguese star’s half-volley.
Malinovskiy did put Atalanta again into the lead within the 81st minute, as Muriel picked out his fellow sub to hammer a fierce shot previous Wojciech Szczesny.
However Atalanta shot themselves within the foot once more within the 90th minute, as Ronaldo fired in his second spot-kick after Muriel was penalised for handball.
Lazio stumble once more
Earlier on Saturday, Lazio’s title dream suffered one more setback as Francesco Caputo’s injury-time header grabbed Sassuolo a late victory on the Stadio Olimpico.
The capital membership sit eight factors adrift of Juve of their tilt at a primary league title since 2000, however have suffered three straight defeats.
“Speaking in regards to the Scudetto was at all times a little bit of a stretch and we’ve got to look actuality within the face,” coach Simone Inzaghi advised Sky Sport Italia.
“That does not imply we’ll hand over. Subsequent season, within the Champions League, we’ll be capable to rotate the squad extra.”
Promoted
Luis Alberto gave Lazio a first-half lead, however that was their solely shot heading in the right direction within the match as Sassuolo fought again by way of targets from Giacomo Raspadori, on his full league debut, and Caputo.
Roma strengthened their grip on a Europa League slot with a snug Three-Zero win at relegation-threatened Brescia.
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