Soccer Football - Serie A - Atalanta v Cagliari - Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo, Italy - February 15, 2025 Atalanta's Mateo Retegui in action with Cagliari's Antoine Makoumbou and Yerry Mina REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo
BERGAMO, Italy (Reuters) - Atalanta were held to a 0-0 draw by mid-table Cagliari in a dull Serie A clash on Saturday, dealing a blow to the home side's push for a first-ever top-flight title.
With four of the top five teams facing each other this weekend when fourth-placed Lazio host leaders Napoli and Inter Milan, in second, travel to Juventus, Gian Piero Gasperini's side had a chance to solidify their title-contender status.
However, Atalanta only recorded two shots on target as they struggled to find a way past a tight Cagliari defence and stayed third in the standings on 51 points after 25 games.
Atalanta, who have now failed to win six of their last eight league games, are four points off Napoli and three behind Inter, with both yet to play this weekend.
Cagliari, in their second season back in Serie A, were disciplined in defence and rarely left their own half, making things complicated for the hosts.
A lethargic Atalanta were easy to read and failed to threaten until Lazar Samardzic forced Cagliari goalkeeper Elia Caprile into action with an attempt from the edge of the area, in what was their best chance before the break.
Atalanta thought they had taken the lead on the hour mark when midfielder Marco Brescianini bundled the ball into the net from a corner, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper.
The game opened up slightly more as the clock ticked down and substitute Charles De Ketelaere had a promising chance five minutes before the end but the Belgian forward sent his low attempt just wide.
Caprile then denied Atalanta striker Vanja Vlahovic to earn his side a hard-fought draw.
Cagliari, who won four of their previous six games at Atalanta in Serie A, are 13th with 25 points.
Atalanta on Tuesday host Club Brugge in the return leg of their Champions League knockout phase playoff after conceding a stoppage-time penalty to lose 2-1 in Belgium on Wednesday.
(Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
