Atalanta beats Fiorentina 2-1 to end 27-year hoodoo

MILAN (AP) — Atalanta came from behind to win 2-1 at Fiorentina in Serie A on Saturday and end a 27-year hoodoo.

Duvan Zapata and Ruslan Malinovskiy scored in the second half after Federico Chiesa’s opener for Fiorentina.

It was Atalanta’s first Serie A victory at Fiorentina since 1993.

Atalanta, which qualified for this season’s Champions League for the first time in its history, moved three points above fifth-place Roma. The two face each other next week.

Fiorentina was 14th, nine points above the relegation zone.

Atalanta was looking to avenge its recent Italian Cup defeat in Florence but Fiorentina took the lead in the 32nd minute thanks to a powerful 20-yard effort from Chiesa.

Atalanta had the better of the chances, however, and leveled four minutes into the second half. Fiorentina goalkeeper Bartłomiej Drągowski only briefly intercepted Alejandro “Papu” Gomez’s cross, allowing Zapata to bundle into the bottom right corner from point-blank range.

Malinovskiy scored what was to prove the winner with a swerving shot in the 72nd.

Serie A leader Juventus will be looking to move six points clear at the top of the table when it visits Hellas Verona later.