MILAN (AP) — Josip Ilicic continued to impress as he helped Atalanta to a 3-0 victory over Parma in the Italian league on Saturday.
Ilicic netted a Serie A hat trick in last week's 5-1 win at Chievo Verona, ending a nine-match winless streak in all competitions for Atalanta. The Slovenia midfielder didn't score this round but was at the heart of Atalanta's good play.
Parma goalkeeper Luigi Sepe had done well to keep Atalanta at bay in the first half and he parried Ilicic's fierce strike in the 55th minute but it came off Riccardo Gagliolo and went into the back of the net.
Atalanta doubled its lead in the 72nd when a corner was flicked on and came to Jose Luis Palomino at the back post, and he tapped it in. There was a lengthy review by the video assistant referee on a suspected offside by Palomino before the goal was finally awarded.
Gianluca Mancini extended Atalanta's lead by volleying in Ilicic's corner eight minutes later.
Ilicic almost got on the scoresheet but his effort came off the crossbar.
Juventus, which dropped its first points in Serie A last weekend, plays at relegation-threatened Empoli later, ahead of Fiorentina's match at Torino.
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