Manolas caps another Roma comeback in 3-3 draw with Atalanta
ROME (AP) — Comeback specialist Kostas Manolas scored the equalizer for Roma in a 3-3 draw with Atalanta in Serie A on Monday.
Eight minutes from time in Roma's home opener, Manolas was waiting at the far post when a free kick from Aleksandar Kolarov came over the top, allowing the Greece center back to tap in.
With Roma having trailed 3-1 at halftime, Manolas' goal immediately brought back memories of his decisive late score in the 3-0 victory over Barcelona in last season's Champions League quarterfinal — when Roma overturned a 4-1 first-leg deficit.
However, Edin Dzeko and Patrik Schick each missed solid chances at a winner.
Roma and Atalanta each have four points from the opening two rounds — two points behind leaders Juventus, Napoli and Spal.
Roma had taken an early lead when newly signed Javier Pastore scored a delightful backheel goal two minutes in.
But Atalanta then took advantage of poor defending — including by Manolas — and produced an equalizer from Timothy Castagne, then a brace from Emiliano Rigoni.
Alessandro Florenzi began Roma's comeback by bursting through the center of Atalanta's defense and unleashing a long shot on the hour mark.
Roma visits AC Milan on Friday, a day after Atalanta visits Copenhagen in the Europa League playoffs. Atalanta and Copenhagen drew 0-0 in the opening leg.
