Rome (AFP)

Future opponent of Paris SG in the Champions League, Atalanta Bergamo was hung on the lawn of Hellas Verona (1-1) Saturday at the opening of the 34th day of the Italian Championship, in which AC Milan confirmed its shape.

With this point, Atalanta joined Inter Milan in second place, six lengths from the leader Juventus. In a day which will see the teams at the top of the table face each other, Inter must still play against AS Roma (5th) on Sunday, before the Juventus-Lazio Rome (4th) clash on Monday.

"We could have secured the victory but it's a good result. In the return phase, we are advancing at a champion's pace but that was not our goal. To get there, too much would have to happen "said Bergamo coach Gian Piero Gasperini after the match.

The Italian technician also noted that his team was only missing one point to be officially qualified for the next Champions League. And if Roma do not win on Sunday, Atalanta will be in C1.

Meanwhile, after seeing Atalanta streak 10 wins, a series only interrupted by a draw on the field of Juventus (2-2), PSG players may have been reassured by this game a little less brilliant from the Bergamasques.

The Hellas has had a good season (9th) and it was felt that the afternoon would be complicated for the men of Gian Piero Gasperini against those of Ivan Juric, ex-player and ex-assistant to the coach of the 'Atalanta.

- AC Milan thoroughly -

In fact, the "Dea" suffered, perhaps a little physically damaged and handicapped by the very small match of its captain and offensive inspirer "Papu" Gomez.

Just after the break, Atalanta had all the same taken advantage of an error from the yet solid defense of Verona to open the scoring by Zapata (50th), author of his 17th goal of the season.

But Verona quickly equalized by Pessina, a player ... loaned by Atalanta (1-1, 59th).

At the end of the match, the Bergamasques, still deprived of Ilicic, in search of good physical condition, had several opportunities to win. But they did not manage them very well, perhaps for lack of freshness and lucidity.

AC Milan is in great shape. Saturday night, the Milanese won their sixth success in eight games played (two draws) since the recovery by crushing Bologna 5-1.

The rossoneri goals were scored by Saelemaekers, Calhanoglu, Bennacer, Rebic and Calabria. For Bologna, Tomyasu had briefly reduced the score to 2-1. With this victory, Milan is 6th just one point behind Roma. Bologna is 10th.

© 2020 AFP