Atalanta Miss Closing Gap With Top Runners As Venezia Force Draw

 

Venezia held off Atalanta to a humiliating goalless draw at home, setting the hosts back by the maximum points needed to close the gap with Inter Milan in the race for the league top spot. 

It was a tiring game. Atalanta were worked out and unable to adequately penetrate the opponent's defense. Even as Venezia defended so strongly, Atalanta had a neat chance but was struck over the crossbar. The hosts faced onslaughts from the opposition, who could have narrowly snatched the victory, particularly Yeboah's close-range miss. 

Luckily, Venezia maintained deadlock as Ademola Lookman missed a glaring chance in a set piece to set Atalanta ahead. The Nigerian forward latched onto a back flicker following a corner and while the ball landed in his path, the on-rushing goalkeeper blocked his view and struck the ball wide. 

While the draw was unpleasant for Atalanta, Venezia remained unbeaten with clean sheets in two consecutive league games though they have remained goalless through four successive in the Serie A.