European football: Lookman’s late winner takes Atalanta to the top of Serie A | European club football

European football: Lookman’s late winner takes Atalanta to the top of Serie A | European club football

A late goal from Ademola Lookman ensured safety Atalanta a hard-fought 2-1 win Milan on Friday and put the hosts at the top of Serie A. With three minutes left, a corner went across the penalty area and an unmarked Lookman headed in the winning goal.

The result moved Atalanta to the top of the table with 34 points, two ahead of Napoli, who play fifth-placed Lazio at home on Sunday. Milan is seventh with 22 points.

Former Milan player Charles De Ketelaere leapfrogged his opponent and headed Atalanta into the lead after 12 minutes, finishing from a perfectly taken corner. Ten minutes later, Milan responded when Rafael Leão sent a cross into the box to Álvaro Morata, who equalized from close range.

The second half was evenly matched, with both teams creating several chances and Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan making a save in stoppage time to prevent Atalanta from scoring their third goal.

Earlier Inter was able to easily win 3-1 at home Parmawith Federico Dimarco, Nicolò Barella and Marcus Thuram all on the scoresheet.

Inter were back in action for the first time since their Serie A match against Fiorentina was abandoned last Sunday after midfielder Edoardo Bove collapsed on the pitch and had to be taken to hospital.

On Friday, Dimarco impressed with a deft touch, flicking the ball past a defender into the box and then firing home from a tight angle five minutes before half-time to break the deadlock. The hosts extended their lead in the 53rd minute when Barella caught a perfectly timed pass from midfield, giving him ample opportunity to put the ball into the net.

Marcus Thuram celebrates his goal against Parma in Inter’s 3-1 win. Photo: Matthieu Mirville/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock

In the 66th minute, an unmarked Thuram sealed Inter’s victory by volleying a corner into the net, scoring their third goal against the team from his native city.

“It’s going well, but I still have a lot to learn. I work with my teammates and follow the teachings of Lautaro (Martínez) and (Marko) Arnautovic, which help me improve,” Thuram told DAZN. “This team (Parma) has a place in my father’s heart and for me it is a bit strange to play against the yellow and blue, but I am happy to have scored and won this game.”

Parma equalized in the 81st minute when Inter defender Matteo Darmian tried to intercept a through ball but sent it into his own net.

Despite the defeat, Parma coach Fabio Pecchia remained optimistic about his team’s performance. “The boys’ performance was positive, we knew who we were dealing with. The attitude was positive, with a desire to do what we normally do,” he said.

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The leaders of Ligue 1, Paris Saint GermainThere was a 0-0 draw Auxerre as the visitors dropped further points after their second straight draw.

After a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Nantes, PSG looked dominant from the start but struggled to find a way through Auxerre’s solid defence. PSG’s Gonçalo Ramos came closest to a breakthrough in the first half with a header that was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Donovan Léon.

Léon continued his impressive form after the break, making several important saves to keep PSG at bay, while Vitinha converted another missed chance for the visitors in the 69th minute.

PSG remain top of the table with 34 points, eight ahead of second-placed Marseille, who face Saint-Étienne on Sunday. Auxerre are in eighth place with 20 points, just outside the European places on goal difference.

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