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Thousands stream into Belgrade square to protest against populist Serbian leadership

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Thousands stream into Belgrade square to protest against populist Serbian leadership
News

News

Thousands stream into Belgrade square to protest against populist Serbian leadership

2024-12-23 04:27 Last Updated At:04:31

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Tens of thousands of people streamed into a central square in Serbia's capital on Sunday for a rally against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students.

The rally at Belgrade's Slavija Square, one of the largest in recent years, was called by students and farmer unions. It was part of a wider movement demanding accountability over the Nov. 1 collapse of a canopy at a railway station in the country's north that killed 15 people.

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People use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

A Serbian flag is seen as people use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

A Serbian flag is seen as people use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

A Serbian flag waves in the wind as people use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

A Serbian flag waves in the wind as people use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People hold their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People hold their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People attend a protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in central Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People attend a protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in central Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Protesters crowd a street during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in central Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Protesters crowd a street during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in central Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People gather around the bust of Dimitrije Tucovic, early 20th century Serbian socialist politician, during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in central Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People gather around the bust of Dimitrije Tucovic, early 20th century Serbian socialist politician, during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in central Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Students bang drums during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Students bang drums during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

A Serbian flag waves in the wind as people use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

A Serbian flag waves in the wind as people use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People hold a banner that reads "You have blood on your hands" during a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People hold a banner that reads "You have blood on your hands" during a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

“We are all under the canopy,” read one of the banners displayed at the main Belgrade square.

Smaller rallies were also held in the cities of Nis and Kragujevac. The protest in Belgrade started with a 15-minute silence for the victims, and later chants of “You have blood on your hands!” were heard.

Many in Serbia blame the collapse on widespread corruption and sloppy work on the railway station building in the city of Novi Sad that was twice renovated in recent years as part of questionable mega projects involving Chinese state companies. Protesters demand that Vucic and those responsible face justice.

Serbia's popular theater and movie actors joined the protest, with actor Bane Trifunovic describing Sunday’s rally as “a festival of freedom.”

In a show of confidence, the Serbian president on Sunday inaugurated a section of a newly built highway in central Serbia. Vucic said he wouldn't budge to opposition demands for a transitional government and accused his opponents of using students to try to seize power.

“We will beat them again,” said Vucic.“They (the opposition) don't know what to do but to use someone's children.”

In an apparent attempt to defuse the student-led protests, Vucic has been advertising what he said are “favorable” loans for young people to purchase apartments as well as attracting tens of thousands of doctors and other skilled people who have left the Balkan country for a better life in the West in recent years.

Prosecutors have arrested 13 people over the Novi Sad tragedy, including a government minister whose release later fueled public skepticism about the honesty of the investigation.

The weekslong protests reflect wider discontent with Vucic's rule. The populist leader formally says he wants to take Serbia into the European Union but has faced accusations of curbing democratic freedoms rather than advancing them.

Opposition parties have said a transitional government that would prepare a free and fair election could be a way out of the political tensions as ruling populists also have been accused of rigging past votes.

Serbia’s government has extended school winter holidays by starting them nearly a week earlier to grapple with widening student protests.

Classes at universities throughout the Balkan country have been suspended for weeks with students camping inside their faculty buildings. In recent days, more high school students have joined the movement. Occasional violence has erupted when pro-government thugs tried to disrupt the protests.

A group of farmers said Sunday that police took away the tractor which they drove into central Belgrade ahead of the protest. In addition to the farmers, Serbia’s students also have received nationwide support from all walks of life including their professors, media personalities, lawyers and prominent individuals.

Vucic initially accused the students of launching protests for money but later said he has fulfilled their demands, including publishing documentation relating to the renovation work at the Novi Sad station.

Associated Press writer Dusan Stojanovic contributed to this report.

People use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

A Serbian flag is seen as people use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

A Serbian flag is seen as people use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

A Serbian flag waves in the wind as people use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

A Serbian flag waves in the wind as people use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People hold their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People hold their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People attend a protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in central Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People attend a protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in central Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Protesters crowd a street during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in central Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Protesters crowd a street during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in central Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People gather around the bust of Dimitrije Tucovic, early 20th century Serbian socialist politician, during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in central Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People gather around the bust of Dimitrije Tucovic, early 20th century Serbian socialist politician, during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in central Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Students bang drums during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Students bang drums during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

A Serbian flag waves in the wind as people use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

A Serbian flag waves in the wind as people use lights on their mobile phones during a protest against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, whose tight grip on power has been challenged by weeks of street protests led by university students, in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

People hold a banner that reads "You have blood on your hands" during a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People hold a banner that reads "You have blood on your hands" during a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

ROME (AP) — Charles De Ketelaere scored late and Atalanta returned to the top of Serie A with a 3-2 win over Empoli in the club’s record-extending 11th consecutive league victory.

De Ketelaere scored two goals and African player of the year Ademola Lookman grabbed the other as Atalanta went two points clear of Napoli, which had put the home team under pressure with a 2-1 win over Genoa the day before.

Empoli forward Lorenzo Colombo stunned the hosts with the opener in the 13th minute after a quick throw in caught the Atalanta defense off guard.

Atalanta suffered another blow minutes later when Mateo Retegui had to go off with what looked like a left thigh injury. Nicolo Zaniolo went on for the Italy forward and was booked almost straight away.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side showed no alarm, however, and De Ketelaere equalized with a diving header inside the left post in the 34th.

Lookman then scored his ninth league goal of the season just before the interval after Zaniolo laid off a cross from De Ketelaere.

Sebastiano Esposito pulled one back with a penalty awarded after a VAR check for an innocuous-looking challenge, but De Ketelaere sent the home fans wild in the 86th minute when he fired inside the right post from the edge of the penalty box despite facing three defenders.

Atalanta won the Europa League last season but has never won Serie A. It achieved its highest finish of third place three times under Gasperini.

Paulo Dybala scored twice and set up another goal to get Roma back on track with a comfortable 5-0 win over Parma.

The Argentine playmaker scored an early penalty and pounced on a rebound from Alexis Saelemaekers’ initial shot early in the second half to steer Roma to just its fifth league win of the season.

Saelemaekers scored with a volley after Dybala’s opener, and Leandro Paredes added another penalty in the 74th, awarded after Saelemaekers was shouldered off the ball.

Dybala set up Artem Dovbyk to complete the scoring late.

Roma looked to have finally clicked under Claudio Ranieri, the team’s third coach of the season, when it managed back-to-back wins over Lecce and Sporting Braga in the league and Europa League. But it lost last weekend at promoted Como 2-0.

Also Sunday, Venezia defeated Cagliari 2-1 thanks to Marin Šverko's persistence. The Croatian defender kept going despite the attention of a handful of Cagliari defenders to score what proved to be the winner.

Faltering Juventus visited Monza later Sunday, seeking to end a run of four straight draws.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere, centre, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Empoli at Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, Dec. 22 , 2024. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere, centre, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Empoli at Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, Dec. 22 , 2024. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Empoli at Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, Dec. 22 , 2024. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Empoli at Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, Dec. 22 , 2024. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere, right, fights for the ball with Empoli's Giuseppe Pezzella during the Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Empoli at Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere, right, fights for the ball with Empoli's Giuseppe Pezzella during the Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Empoli at Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere, second from right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's third goal during the Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Empoli at Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere, second from right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's third goal during the Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Empoli at Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Empoli at Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Empoli at Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)

Roma's Paulo Dybala celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Roma and Parma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday Dec. 22, 2024. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Roma's Paulo Dybala celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Roma and Parma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday Dec. 22, 2024. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Roma's Paulo Dybala scores his side's opening goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Roma and Parma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday Dec. 22, 2024. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Roma's Paulo Dybala scores his side's opening goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Roma and Parma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday Dec. 22, 2024. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Parma's Woyo Coulibaly, right, takes on Roma's Paulo Dybala during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Roma and Parma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday Dec. 22, 2024. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Parma's Woyo Coulibaly, right, takes on Roma's Paulo Dybala during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Roma and Parma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday Dec. 22, 2024. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Roma's Paulo Dybala celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Roma and Parma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday Dec. 22, 2024. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Roma's Paulo Dybala celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Roma and Parma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday Dec. 22, 2024. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Roma's Paulo Dybala, center, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Roma and Parma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday Dec. 22, 2024. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Roma's Paulo Dybala, center, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Roma and Parma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday Dec. 22, 2024. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Roma's Paulo Dybala, right, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Roma and Parma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday Dec. 22, 2024. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Roma's Paulo Dybala, right, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Roma and Parma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday Dec. 22, 2024. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

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