Fiorentina Draw at Home With Atalanta and Stay in Serie A Relegation Zone

In round nine of Serie A, Italy's top football league, Fiorentina of Florence drew 2-2 at home against Atalanta of Bergamo. A win would have helped the hosts climb out of the relegation zone, but one point leaves them 18th in the standings. After nine rounds, Fiorentina have one win, two draws and six defeats, with a goal difference of 11 scored and 21 conceded.

A difficult start for the visitors

Atalanta had an unpleasant opening: in the fourth minute centre-back Tomas Kristensen had to leave the pitch, and Giorgio Scalvini replaced him. Fiorentina took advantage and quickly took a dangerous shot from distance, but did not score. The hosts were the stronger side in the first half, though Atalanta also created a chance in the 19th minute, when Ederson's teammate Elif Elmas shot from a good position.

Both teams played fairly open football, and there were dangerous moments at both ends. Just before the break, the visitors scored first: in the 41st minute Charles De Ketelaere found space in the penalty area.

The hosts respond after the break

Early in the second half, in the 53rd minute, Alieu Ndzi scored his first goal for Fiorentina. The Swedish player made a run into the box after a teammate's cross and beat goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi with a header. A few minutes later, in the 61st minute, the hosts took the lead when Joao Mario's shot from distance deflected on its way and Carnesecchi could not stop it. It was also Mario's first goal for the club.

The lead did not last. In the 74th minute, 17 minutes before the end of normal time, Nikola Zalewski equalised with an accurate shot from the middle of the penalty area, beating David de Gea.

Fiorentina were the more dangerous side, as shown by their expected goals (xG) edge of 1.44 to 0.74, but they could not take all three points. Atalanta have 11 points and are 12th, while Inter of Milan and Lazio of Rome lead the table with 25 points each.