Manolas caps another Roma comeback in 3-3 draw with Atalanta

Posted August 27, 2018 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Roma's Kostas Manolas celebrates after scoring during a Serie A soccer match between Roma and Atalanta, in Rome's Olympic stadium, Monday, Aug. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) The Associated Press

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.

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Roma's Alessandro Florenzi, right, celebrates after scoring during a Serie A soccer match between Roma and Atalanta, in Rome's Olympic stadium, Monday, Aug. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) The Associated Press

Roma's Kostas Manolas, left, and Atalanta's Duvan Zapata vie for the ball during a Serie A soccer match between Roma and Atalanta, in Rome's Olympic stadium, Monday, Aug. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) The Associated Press

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