Atalanta Bounces Back Thanks to Krstovic: Venezia Already Desperate

Krstovic’s stellar performance led Atalanta to a 3-1 victory over Venezia in the first Monday night match of Serie A’s sixth matchday. Sarri’s team returns to winning ways after three straight losses and climbs to 9 points in 10th place, while Stroppa’s men remain stuck at zero points, in last place.

A half-hour of great soccer saw Atalanta race to a 3-0 lead, with Krstovic as the star of the show. In the 6th minute, the Montenegrin forward set up Kessié, who made a good run and beat Stankovic with a beautiful chip shot, scoring his first goal for Atalanta in 10 years. The second goal came just two minutes later: this time, Krstovic himself headed the ball into the net off a corner kick.

At the half-hour mark, the former Lecce player sealed the deal by tapping in a short save by Stankovic off Rowe’s previous shot. Stroppa’s team rallied before halftime when Hainaut headed in a cross from Zappacosta to make it 1-3.

In the second half, Sarri’s team tried to manage the lead and played more cautiously. Venezia took control of the game and began creating chances, but they were unlucky, hitting the crossbar twice through Adams and Yeboah. In the 61st minute, Adams had a goal disallowed; in the 64th minute, Yeboah, one-on-one with Carnesecchi, missed the target. Atalanta came close to scoring a fourth goal twice through Krstovic, then in the 89th minute, they were reduced to 10 men after Elmas was sent off for a foul on Helgason. The Nerazzurri gritted their teeth and secured the victory.