Football Italia
·2 December 2024
Football Italia
·2 December 2024
Marten de Roon was overjoyed at finally receiving his first Serie A Man of the Match award and confirms beating Roma 2-0 for an eighth straight win gives Atalanta ‘a real confidence booster.’
La Dea were able to take all three points from the Stadio Olimpico thanks to De Roon’s deflected strike from the edge of the area, then a late Nicolò Zaniolo glancing header on Juan Cuadrado’s corner.
Along with the goal, his overall performance saw the Dutch midfielder named Serie A Man of the Match.
“I was kidding with Charles (De Ketelaere) that he wins the award a lot, but I’m a midfielder who does the dirty work, but this time I finally won it!” grinned De Roon on Sky Sport Italia.
“It was not easy today, a very difficult game and a balanced one. I had a bit of luck on my shot and the deflection, but other than one big chance, I think we largely controlled the match and had other chances to score.
“This team now has to relax, keep balanced and continue like this.”
ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 02: Marten de Roon of Atalanta scores his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Atalanta at Stadio Olimpico on December 02, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
It is becoming increasingly difficult for Atalanta to dampen down the Scudetto talk when they have registered eight consecutive Serie A victories.
They are also the only team keeping up the pace with leaders Napoli, sitting one point behind, even if Inter and Fiorentina have a game in hand after Edoardo Bove’s medical emergency yesterday.
“We’re keeping our feet on the ground. We take it one game at a time and this victory gives us a real confidence booster.”
Their next match is on Friday against Milan, but De Roon had been at risk of suspension with a yellow card today, so avoiding that means he will continue his run of 20 consecutive appearances without skipping a minute.
“I am happy that I managed to avoid a yellow card, especially after a stupid one against Parma. I’m happy that I can play on Friday, I want to play every game and I feel good.”