Atalanta thrash Empoli side 5-0 with Mateo Retegui and an Ademola Lookman brace among the goals, the Nigeria international responding to the midweek controversy.
Atalanta threatened after 90 seconds, as Lookman’s roll across for Mateo Retegui was cut out by Giuseppe Pezzella, then Mattia De Sciglio crashed into Raoul Bellanova only after he had taken the shot.
Marco Silvestri also flew to palm the Davide Zappacosta curler round the far post, then the goalkeeper made a desperate save on the Berat Djimsiti header on the resulting corner.
Atalanta doubled their lead on the next corner, as it was taken short and Lookman’s cross flicked on by Djimsiti for Retegui to side-foot home relatively undisturbed at the back post. It was the Italy international’s 21st Serie A goal of the season.
Retegui also provided an assist before half-time, his through ball nutmegging a defender for Lookman, who rolled it under the sole of his boot to get away from Silvestri and walk it into the empty net from point-blank range. It was a magnificent bit of skill.
Liam Henderson had two promising curlers wide of the upright, but Atalanta added a fourth with Lookman springing the offside trap on the Marten de Roon pass, shimmying away from Cacace with a step-over and angled drive with his weaker left foot.
Empoli threatened too, Sead Kolasinac making the decisive clearance on Lorenzo Colombo’s header from a Pezzella cross.
Zappacosta forced the earlier own goal, but got his name on the scoresheet when drilling low into the near bottom corner after cutting inside Junior Sambia on the edge of the area.
When Lookman was substituted, Sky Sport Italia pointed out that he shook hands with his teammates and assistant manager Tullio Gritti, but not coach Gasperini.