Atalanta defeat Empoli 2-1 and look forward to Liga de Campeones

MILAN (AP) — Substitute Rasmus Hojlund scored a late goal as Atalanta recovered to beat Empoli 2-1 in Serie A on Friday and improve their chances of a Champions League berth.

Hojlund siete minutos después de haber ingresado al campo desde la banca. Marten de Roon equalized after Tyronne Ebuehi opened Empoli’s marker.

The result ended Atalanta’s winless streak, three points behind AC Milan, who moved up to fourth after visiting Udinese on Saturday. Empoli se mantiente nueve puntos por encima de la zona de descenso.

Atalanta have tied three of their last four games and lost the last one, dropping them in a tough battle for Champions League qualification.

Dominó el partido, pero Empoli surpresivamente se fue adelante poco antes del descanso. Atalanta Matteo Ruggeri’s defense intercepted the center looking for Ebuehi, but his Despeje attempt impacted forward Francesco Caputo, who was unable to score. The rebound fell to Ebuehi, who sent Las Redes to Kemaropa.

De Loan equalized in the 58th minute with a header from Ruggeri’s centre, scoring Atalanta’s first goal and almost a knife.

Atalanta remained on three points after four minutes into the final when Mario Pasalic scored to reach Hojlund to secure the win.

Cuatro and Fira Sassuolo secured their fourth win with a 1-0 victory over relegation-zone Spezia.

Domenico Berardi converted a penalty in the 71st minute after being handicapped inside Kelvin Amiens’ defensive area.

Berardi also scored with a cross in the first half, with Sassuolo midfielder Abdou Haroui hitting the post, one of several chances for the home side to extend their advantage.

Spezia, who beat Inter de Milan last week, have retained five points from the relegation zone.