Atalanta 2-1 Napoli Player Ratings: La Dea's Comeback Stuns Napoli in a 2-1 Thriller

It wasn’t the greatest performance, but Atalanta BC won’t care. The hosts edged past Napoli 2-1 at the Gewiss Stadium in a Serie A clash that swung on fine margins rather than dominance. Napoli actually saw more of the ball and finished with the higher expected goals (1.08 to 0.75), but they struggled to turn that control into clear chances. The turning point came just before half-time when a penalty was overturned for the visitors after a VAR review, a moment that seemed to take the wind out of their sails.

After the break, Atalanta grew into the game. Mario Pasalic struck just past the hour mark, and Lazar Samardzic added a second with ten minutes remaining to put the hosts firmly in control. Napoli pushed late, but they lacked the sharpness needed to find a second goal. The win keeps Napoli third on 50 points, while the host strengthens their position in seventh with 45 after 26 matches. Let's take a look at Sportsdunia's Atalanta vs Napoli player ratings and see who was the best performer and who was the worst following a comeback win for the home side.

Key Takeaways

• Napoli edged xG (1.08 - 0.75), but Atalanta converted decisive moments with clinical precision.
• The overturned Napoli penalty proved psychologically pivotal, shifting control toward Atalanta.
• Atalanta’s midfield intensity, led by Pasalic and De Roon, overwhelmed Napoli after the break.

Napoli Player Ratings vs Atalanta

Here are the Napoli player ratings against Atalanta.

Goalkeeper

Vanja Milinković-Savić - 7.0: He was a busy man today. Pulled off five saves, a couple of which were top-drawer to keep his side in it early on. We noticed his three good high claims, which showed command of his area. He couldn't do much about either of Atalanta's perfectly placed headers.

Defenders

Alessandro Buongiorno - 6.0: It was a tough afternoon for the defender. While he managed an impressive six interceptions, he struggled in the air, winning only 43% of his aerial duels. We saw him lose his man for the equalizer, which was a crucial moment. He looked overwhelmed by Atalanta's second-half onslaught.

Juan Jesus - 6.5: A mixed performance before he was substituted. He won a respectable 67% of his duels and made four interceptions, showing good reading of the game. However, a yellow card and being part of a defense that eventually buckled hurt his rating.

Sam Beukema - 7.5: What stood out to us was his goal, a thumping header to give Napoli the lead. That alone boosts his rating significantly. Defensively, he was solid with five tackles won and a few clearances. However, he was also part of the defense that conceded twice in the second half.

Midfielders

Miguel Gutiérrez - 7.5: Looked like one of Napoli's best players before his unfortunate injury. He provided a brilliant assist and was a creative spark, making two key passes. His energy was palpable, recovering the ball eight times in just 63 minutes.

Eljif Elmas - 7.0: An incredibly tidy performance on the ball. An assist and a 95% pass accuracy show his quality in possession, though his final ball sometimes lacked penetration. He worked hard, with nine ball recoveries. He was neat but couldn't impose himself when Atalanta took control.

Pasquale Mazzocchi - 6.0: A very quiet 63 minutes for the midfielder. He didn't do much wrong, but he also didn't offer much of an impact going forward or breaking up plays. His stats are quite bare, reflecting a performance where the game seemed to pass him by before he was subbed.

Stanislav Lobotka - 6.5: The captain was his usual metronomic self with 92% pass accuracy. He kept possession ticking over nicely in the first half. However, as the game wore on, he and the midfield were overrun by Atalanta's energy, and he struggled to shield his defense effectively.

Forwards

Rasmus Højlund - 6.5: A frustrating day for the striker. His biggest contribution was winning the penalty, a huge moment that should have led to more. However, he lost nine duels and was caught offside, struggling to hold up the ball. He worked hard, but it just wasn't his day in front of gthe oal.

Antonio Vergara - 6.0: Showed some flashes of intent with a couple of shots, one on target. But what stood out was how often he lost the ball, with a staggering 17 possession losses in 70 minutes. He seemed to struggle with the physicality of the game before being substituted.

Alisson Santos - 7.5: Napoli's brightest spark in attack. He was a constant menace, winning an incredible 13 duels and attempting four shots. He was relentless and always looked to make something happen. The only downside was a missed big chance that could have changed the game.

Manager

A. Conte - 6.0: His team started perfectly, executing the game plan to get the lead. However, he had no answer for the tactical switch and increased intensity from Atalanta in the second half. His substitutions failed to regain control of the match. Watching a 1-0 lead turn into a 2-1 loss is always a massive disappointment for any manager.

Atalanta Player Ratings vs Napoli

Check out the Atalanta player ratings for the Atalanta vs Napoli Serie A match.

Goalkeeper

Marco Carnesecchi - 7.0: A solid and assured performance. He made three important saves, including a key stop to deny Alisson Santos in the second half. He couldn't have done anything about the goal he conceded. Commanded his box well and distributed effectively when needed.

Defenders

Isak Hien - 6.0: A very difficult rating. He gave away a penalty, a cardinal sin for a defender that mars his performance significantly. Outside of that moment, his passing was immaculate with 93% accuracy. It was a Jekyll and Hyde performance, but the penalty concession was a huge negative.

Sead Kolasinac - 7.0: A very strong and rugged display before he was forced off with an injury. He won almost all of his duels and was a rock at the back. His forward runs were also a threat. We were impressed with his all-action performance; a shame it ended prematurely.

Giorgio Scalvini - 6.5: A busy and combative performance. He was everywhere, making nine ball recoveries and getting stuck into tackles. However, he also committed three fouls and seemed a bit rash at times. An energetic but slightly undisciplined outing before being substituted.

Midfielders

Mario Pašalić - 8.5: Our man of the match, without a doubt. He was the driving force behind the comeback. Scored the crucial equalizer with a well-timed header. Beyond the goal, he recovered the ball ten times and was a constant threat. An absolutely outstanding and influential performance.

Marten de Roon - 7.5: The captain led by example. He was the engine in midfield, making four tackles and winning seven duels. His passing into the final third was crucial in turning the tide. A true warrior's performance, dominating the middle of the park in the second half.

Raoul Bellanova - 7.0: He was a livewire during his 57 minutes on the pitch. He forced the keeper into a good save and was a constant outlet on the right. His high pass accuracy and attacking intent were impressive. His substitution was a surprise to us given his performance.

Davide Zappacosta - 7.0: A solid, dependable 90-minute shift. He was tidy in possession and worked tirelessly up and down the flank. While he didn't provide a standout moment of magic, he was a key part of the team's structure and discipline. A real team player.

Forwards

Kamaldeen Sulemana - 6.0: A disappointing first half for the attacker. He had a couple of shots on target but was largely anonymous. He lost the majority of his duels and gave away possession too easily. It was no surprise to see him hooked at halftime.

Nicola Zalewski - 7.5: A chaotic but ultimately effective performance. He delivered the pinpoint cross for the equalizing goal, a massive contribution. He created another big chance as well. The yellow card and high number of possession losses are negatives, but his creative output was decisive.

Nikola Krstović - 6.0: Really struggled to make an impact on the game. He was isolated up front and couldn't get involved in the play. Subbed off before the hour mark after a very quiet outing. He'll be hoping for better days.

Manager

R. Palladino - 8.0: A tactical masterclass. His team looked second-best in the first half. But his halftime adjustments and second-half substitutions were absolutely perfect. Substitutes Lazar Samardzic and Lorenzo Bernasconi combined for the winning goal, which speaks volumes. He completely out-managed his counterpart to secure a brilliant comeback win.

Man of the Match

Mario Pasalic was the man of the match.

Worst Performer

Nikola Krstovic was the worst performer.