Atalanta beat Berlusconi’s Monza 2-0, move atop Serie A

Atalanta’s Danish forward Rasmus Hojlund (C) celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A football match between Monza and Atalanta at the U-Power stadium in Monza on Sept. 5, 2022. (AFP)

• Monza, making their top-division debut, have lost all five of their matches, leaving coach Giovanni Stroppa at risk of losing his job

ROME: Unbeaten Atalanta moved two points clear atop the Serie A after beating Silvio Berlusconi’s last-placed Monza 2-0 on Monday.

What’s more, Atalanta did it without their starting forward Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel.

The 19-year-old striker Rasmus Hojlund put Atalanta ahead near the hour mark after being set up by Ademola Lookman.

Eight minutes later, Lookman appeared to have the tap in but on closer review there was a deflection and the score went down as an own goal from Monza defender Marlon.

After five rounds, Atalanta moved two points ahead of Napoli and defending champion AC Milan, with Udinese, Roma and Torino all three points back.

Monza, making their top-division debut, have lost all five of their matches, leaving coach Giovanni Stroppa at risk of losing his job.

Torino beat Lecce 1-0 with a goal from Nikola Vlasic.

Also, Salernitana and Empoli drew 2-2.