AS Roma scored twice in the final three minutes to overturn a 1-0 deficit and beat Atalanta 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico, returning to the top of Serie A and ending a nine-match winless run in this fixture.
Mario Hermoso equalised in the 90th minute before Matias Soule completed the comeback in the third minute of added time. The result also extended Roma’s winning run to three matches, while Atalanta suffered their first away defeat of the season and their first on the road since 2017.
Roma began with the intention of maintaining their pursuit of a third successive 4-0 victory and a seventh consecutive league win. They created their first major opportunity inside the opening 15 minutes when Rodrigo Mora delivered from the left and Gianluca Mancini, left unmarked, met the cross with a powerful header.
Marco Carnesecchi was positioned well enough to keep the effort out. The Atalanta goalkeeper was called upon again soon afterwards when Wesley Franca crossed for Bryan Cristante, whose header appeared destined for the bottom corner. Carnesecchi made another important save.
Roma thought they had taken the lead from the resulting corner, but Evan Ndicka’s effort was ruled out for offside.
The hosts continued to control possession and territory, although Atalanta managed to restrict them to two efforts from Mora that failed to find the target before the half-hour mark. Gianluca Scamacca then tested Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar with a shot straight at him, before Paulo Dybala replied with a header that did not seriously trouble Carnesecchi.
Atalanta’s goalkeeper remained the outstanding figure of the first half. Five minutes before the interval, Wesley combined with Donyell Malen on the left. Malen cut inside and attempted a low finish, but Carnesecchi smothered the ball.
Despite Roma’s dominance, Atalanta needed less than 90 seconds of the second half to take the lead. Charles De Ketelaere beat his opponent on the left and sent the ball across the area. His cut-back did not reach a team-mate, but a deflection presented Ederson with the chance to shoot, and he struck the ball beyond Svilar.
Roma almost responded immediately through a corner routine, but Manu Kone was denied by Carnesecchi.
The home side increased the pressure after introducing fresh attacking options from the bench. Matias Soule saw a volley saved, while Santiago Castro beat Carnesecchi but watched his attempt rebound off the post.
Soule then headed towards goal with 20 minutes remaining, only for Carnesecchi to make another save as Roma appeared short of ideas in the final third.
The visitors survived two more scares late on. With two minutes of normal time left, Castro headed against the crossbar for a second time. Carnesecchi then produced a double save to keep out efforts from Dybala and Wesley.
Atalanta’s resistance finally ended in the 90th minute. Soule’s corner found Hermoso, whose header looped over Carnesecchi and into the net.
Roma immediately committed more players forward, and their pressure brought a second goal in stoppage time. Dybala threaded a pass into Soule’s path, and the Argentine’s shot from the right side of the penalty area beat Carnesecchi at his near post.
The victory gave Gian Piero Gasperini a first win against his former club, while Roma returned to the Serie A summit.
Flashscore’s Man of the Match was Mario Hermoso of AS Roma. Full match statistics are available from Flashscore.