Atalanta 8-2 win, sorry Salernitana

Atalanta BC defeated Salernitana 8-2 to win back-to-back Serie A games for the first time since October. La Dea maintained their lead over the other European chasers thanks to a strong first half performance.

It was impossible to predict how this match would turn out with Salernitana winless in five SA matches and Atalanta now on a three-match home league losing streak. When Jeremie Boga created some space on the edge of the area and buried his first SA goal of the season, Atalanta believed they had built a claim to halt their run. Atalanta's lead was short-lived as Krzysztof Pitek did the legwork to set up Boulaye Dia to tie the game in a frenetic opening. Perhaps the psychological wounds of that losing streak raised their ugly heads for Atalanta.

This game ebbed and flowed in several directions, but it was Atalanta who looked more threatening, and they nosed ahead again midway through the first half. Matteo Lovato’s momentary lapse in concentration handed Atalanta the chance from 12-yards, a penalty which was duly converted by Ademola Lookman. As quickly as the second arrived, so did the third - Teun Koopmeiners’ teasing delivery from the corner was powered home by Giorgio Scalvini to give the hosts a two-goal cushion.

Salernitana really were the architects of their own downfall, with Federico Fazio the next man to give a penalty away, which was this time despatched by Koopmeiners to place the game beyond any reasonable doubt. Atalanta were in the mood for more goals before the break though, with the game rapidly descending into an embarrassment for Salernitana. Rasmus Højlund was next to get his name on the scoresheet, adding the finishing touches to some great work in the build-up from Marten de Roon.

Salernitana certainly feared the worst when Lookman added Atalanta's sixth soon after the break, but a quick reaction from Hans Nicolussi at least made sure the gap was back at four. However, it didn't last for very long as replacement Éderson established his dominance by scoring Atalanta's eighth goal of the night. Nadir Zortea completed the score on a breathless afternoon, adding insult to injury for Salernitana as they suffered their 12th straight Serie A away loss in Lombardia.