Atalanta looked to make a fast start with Luis Muriel having a couple of early sighters as the Colombian searched for his first goal of the campaign. However, Fiorentina were unfortunate not to take the lead soon after when Marco Sportiello spilled Riccardo Saponara’s effort, before making amends as he dived at the feet of the onrushing Antonín Barák. The hosts probed throughout the half with Ademola Lookman looking particularly dangerous down the right flank, but La Dea struggled to create clear openings. The main talking point of the first period came in the 40th minute when Christian Kouamé was shown a straight red for serious foul play, only to be welcomed back onto the pitch after a VAR review determined that there was no contact with Marten de Roon.
Atalanta had undoubtedly looked the more threatening of the two sides, and with the hour mark fast approaching, they turned that threat into something substantial. After receiving a throw high up the pitch, Muriel evaded a couple of challenges and picked out a sliding Lookman at the far post for the game's opener. Having conceded a league-low three goals so far this season, things were looking positive for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side with the onus now on La Viola to muster a response.
A risky Merih Demiral headed clearance was as close as the visitors came to restoring parity as Atalanta saw out the game to take a measure of revenge over Fiorentina, who were victorious in three H2H encounters last season. The result means Vincenzo Italiano’s side have now claimed just one win in 10, failing to build on their most recent win over Hellas Verona.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC)
