MILAN (AP) – Luis Muriel scored two goals to get Atalanta back on track in Serie A with a 2–1 win over newly promoted Crotone on Saturday.
Muriel scored both goals in the first half before Simy scored one for the hosts five minutes from halftime.
Atalanta took the place at the moment, one point below AC Milan’s first leader, to be Udinese on Sunday.
Inter failed to approach Milan by tying 2-2 at home against Parma. Elsewhere, Musa Barrow scored twice and Bologna beat Cagliari 3–2.
Crotone stayed in the back of the league with one point, a 1–1 draw against Juventus.
Atalanta entered the game after consecutive Serie A defeats, but was seeking his draw against Ajax in the Champions League, while hoping to bring his confidence to life against Liverpool host on Tuesday.
Muriel had two chances before giving Atalanta the lead in the 26th minute, picking up a Ruslan Malinovskiy ball on purpose and turning to pierce it in the back corner.
The Colombian striker forced Crotone goalkeeper Alex Cordaz to perform a smart tackle before bending his general at 38 after being enabled via Remo Freuler.
Crotone retired two minutes later when Simy beat Marco Sportiello from a narrow angle.
Duvon Zapata of Atalanta, who has scored 4 goals in his last three games, had two opportunities behind, but sent them close.
INTER LOSES LUKAKU
Inter’s dependence on Romelu Lukaku’s back illustrated how he fought in the absence of his key striker.
The Nerazzurri squandered several occasions and a dead-time draw from Ivan Peri-i to save a point.
Lukaku, who scored for Inter’s 15 goals in Serie A, suffers from a left thigh problem.
Gervinho scored twice for Parma in the part of the moment before Marcelo Brozovic scored one for Inter at 64.
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