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The Giallorossi roared into a 3-0 lead in Bergamo - thanks to first half goals from captain Edin Dzeko (twice) and then Stephan El Shaarawy - but a Timothy Castagne header shortly before the break changed the complexion of the game.
And Atalanta come back strongly in the second half, as Rafael Toloi halved the remaining deficit with an early header - before Duvan Zapata, moments after missing a penalty, slotted home an equaliser.
In other circumstances coach Eusebio Di Francesco's side might have been content with the point - the meeting between these two sides earlier in the season ended in the exact same scoreline - but the manner of the contest will leave them ruing things somewhat, a missed opportunity in the ongoing race for the top-four.
It was Dzeko, captain for the day, who doubled his Serie A goals tally for the season - thanks in part to fine assists from Nicolo Zaniolo and Steven Nzonzi. On both occasions his teammates played him in, with the striker making absolutely no mistake against Etrit Berisha.
Zaniolo then turned provider a second time for El Shaarawy, who was clinical in front of goal.
But Castagne's powerful header gave Atalanta hope just when they needed it - and Gian Piero Gasperini's side took full advantage to take a point in the end.
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