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The Super Eagles forward played all 90 minutes but was unable to get on the scoresheet as La Dea dismantled the reigning champions
Napoli were no match for Atalanta in the first Serie A match after the international break, losing 3-0 In their backyard, as a lacklustre side failed to drum up any competition for their visitors.
Despite having Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen back in the starting line-up following a recent injury, Napoli were unable to put up a fight against Atalanta, as the Super Eagles forward's only highlight was a yellow card in the 38th minute.
Goals from Alexei Miranchuk, Gianluca Scamacca, and Teun Koopmeiners were enough for the visitors to score an easy 3-0 win to keep up hopes of making it to the UEFA Champions League places.
How it happened
It only took two minutes for Atalanta to come agonizingly close to an opening goal, with Aleksei Miranchuk racing onto a perfectly weighted pass from Mario Pasalic, his precise shot narrowly eluding Alex Meret but striking the base of the far post.
Atalanta took the lead midway through the first half when Davide Zappacosta's delivery from the left was met by both Hans Hateboer and Gianluca Scamacca before Pasalic's deflected volley inadvertently turned into an assist for Miranchuk to tap home from close range. Despite protests from the hosts for a potential foul, the goal was allowed to stand as a challenge on Amir Rrahmani was deemed legal by the referee.
Napoli had a golden opportunity to level proceedings shortly after, as Osimhen exploited the offside trap, forcing Carnesecchi to rush out and make a crucial save with his legs, before Giorgio Scalvini cleared Matteo Politano's follow-up effort off the line.
Atalanta extended their lead just before half-time, capitalizing on Scamacca's high pressing to combine with Miranchuk, who found the bottom corner with a precise strike from outside the box.
Napoli were presented with a remarkable chance on 54 minutes, as Piotr Zielinski's powerful left-footed volley rattled the inside of the far post, before Stanislav Lobotka's effort was deflected wide by Osimhen, with Carnesecchi making a scrambling fingertip save.
Just as Napoli were pushing for a comeback, Atalanta struck again on the counter-attack. Substitute Koopmeiners exchanged passes with Matteo Ruggeri before holding off Juan Jesus to slot home a precise finish into the far bottom corner.
This effectively dashed any lingering hopes Napoli had of Champions League qualification, as they were met with jeers from the crowd at the final whistle.
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