Belgians Abroad: Atalanta End Season with Defeat Despite Assist from Charles De Ketelaere

The Italian league ended on Sunday with Atalanta’s 2-3 defeat to Fiorentina in a matchday 29 fixture. The Bergamo team, which had already secured their Champions League participation with their Europa League success, finished 4th (69 points). Before the first league match (17-18 August), Atalanta will face Real Madrid in the European Super Cup on August 14 in Warsaw, Poland. Fiorentina were already assured of 8th place (60 points).

Gian Piero Gasperiini lined up Charles De Ketelaere, replaced in the 74th minute, in an attacking trio without Gianluca Scamacca. Despite the rain, the match was spectacular with Fiorentina opening the scoring through Andrea Belotti (6th, 0-1). On a brilliant pass from De Ketelaere, Ademola Lookman found himself alone in front of the opposing goalkeeper and beat him with a chip shot (12th, 1-1). The Florentines took the lead again through Nico Gonzalez (19th, 1-2) and Giorgio Scalvini equalized (32nd, 2-2). But just before the break, Belotti scored a brace (45th+1, 2-3).

While the second half was also full of emotions, it was not full of goals because the Florentines Alfred Duncan (48th), Gonzalez (72nd) were not precise. On the Bergamo side, Mario Pasalic whose shot ended on the crossbar (54th), and Aleksey Miranchuk (64th) were not more effective.