Krstovic Decides Bergamo Match as Atalanta Edge Sassuolo 2-1
Atalanta earned a 2-1 victory over Sassuolo at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on August 23, 2026, delivering head coach Maurizio Sarri his first official win in charge. Early positional fluidness gave the hosts control before dynamic bench adjustments restored momentum after a second-half defensive lapse on a set piece.
Raspadori Rocket and Krstovic Substitution Reshape Atalanta Attack
The home side established an immediate foothold inside six minutes following an error in the Sassuolo back line. Simone Cinquegrano failed to clear an initial ball into the box, allowing Gianluca Gaetano to supply Giacomo Raspadori, who rifled a high strike off the underside of the crossbar against his former team.
Atalanta
clubAlberto Aquilani’s Sassuolo responded by pressing higher up the pitch and carving out dangerous transitions. Kieron Bowie fired over from close distance following Josh Doig’s low pull-back, while Armand Laurienté tested Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi with a powerful long-range effort that required a tip over the bar.
Sassuolo found their equalizer in the 55th minute from a boundary sequence. Doig launched a long throw-in toward the penalty spot, where Odilon Kossounou flicked the ball into the path of Cas Odenthal to head home from close range.
Giacomo Raspadori
playerSarri introduced Nikola Krstovic off the bench on 60 minutes to alter the central attacking shape, and the change paid off five minutes later. A direct goal kick from Carnesecchi was flicked forward by Tommaso Macchioni into open space, allowing Krstovic to react quickest and drill his finish past Arijanet Muric.
Eljif Elmas made his Atalanta debut during the closing minutes as the hosts held off late pressure. Sassuolo nearly leveled during stoppage time when Cinquegrano attempted a scissor-kick volley that flashed wide of the far post.
Atalanta vs Sassuolo Match Statistics
| Statistic | Atalanta | Sassuolo |
|---|---|---|
| Possession % | 56% | 44% |
| Total Shots | 14 | 22 |
| Shots on Target | 7 | 8 |
| Shots off Target | 4 | 9 |
| Blocked Shots | 3 | 5 |
| Corners | 4 | 4 |
| Fouls Committed | 9 | 10 |
Match Timeline
- 6′ – Goal: Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), assisted by Gianluca Gaetano.
- 55′ – Goal: Cas Odenthal (Sassuolo).
- 65′ – Goal: Nikola Krstovic (Atalanta).