Raspadori and Krstovic secure Atalanta opening day victory

Atalanta made the perfect start to their Serie A campaign, establishing early control at the Stadio di Bergamo and forcing Sassuolo onto the back foot from the opening minutes. Gian Piero Gasperini's side showed the attacking intent that has defined them in recent seasons, moving the ball with purpose and pinning their visitors deep in their own half.

The breakthrough came swiftly. Giacomo Raspadori opened the scoring in the sixth minute, giving Atalanta an early foothold and the kind of lead that could have set the tone for a dominant afternoon. Sassuolo steadied themselves after falling behind, however, and gradually began to impose themselves on the contest. It took until the 55th minute for them to find their reward, with Cristian Odenthal levelling the match and breathing new life into the away side's challenge.

The equaliser shifted the momentum noticeably. Where Atalanta had controlled proceedings in the first half, the second period became far more open and competitive. Sassuolo's confidence grew with Odenthal's goal, and they began to ask genuine questions of the home defence. Atalanta, however, refused to be unsettled for long. Nikola Krstovic restored their lead in the 65th minute, striking at a crucial moment when the match hung in the balance and reasserting Atalanta's authority.

Both sides created chances throughout, but Krstovic's goal ultimately proved the decisive moment. Atalanta's experience and quality shone through in the second half, even as Sassuolo continued to battle. The visitors pressed hard in search of another equaliser, yet Atalanta's defence held firm when it mattered most, with Gasperini's team managing the closing stages effectively.

The victory hands Atalanta maximum points on opening day and sends a statement of intent to their rivals. For Sassuolo, the defeat stings, but they showed enough attacking promise to suggest they will be competitive this season. Both teams move forward with clear blueprints for what lies ahead.