Atalanta 2-1 Sassuolo: Krstović restores lead after Sassuolo’s shot advantage

Atalanta defeated Sassuolo 2-1 at New Balance Arena in Bergamo on Sunday, August 23, 2026, securing victory in the opening Serie A regular-season round. The hosts led 1-0 at half-time after an early goal from Giacomo Raspadori, then responded to Sassuolo’s equaliser with Nikola Krstović’s winning strike.

Fast start gives Atalanta the lead

Maurizio Sarri’s Atalanta, set up in a 4-3-3 formation, opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Raspadori finished a move assisted by Gianluca Gaetano, giving the home side an early advantage. Raspadori was Atalanta’s highest-rated player, receiving an 8.2 rating after playing 82 minutes. He also registered one shot on target and three tackles.

Alberto Aquilani’s Sassuolo, also using a 4-3-3, went into the interval behind despite producing the larger attacking output across the match. Atalanta held 57% possession and completed 590 passes compared with Sassuolo’s 432, while their passing accuracy was 92% to the visitors’ 90%. However, Sassuolo finished with 21 total shots, seven more than Atalanta, and posted an expected-goals figure of 2.70 compared with Atalanta’s 0.67.

Sassuolo level, Krstović restores the lead

Sassuolo drew level in the 55th minute through Cas Odenthal, whose goal made it 1-1. Odenthal was the visitors’ top-rated player at 7.5, recording one shot on target and one key pass. The equaliser briefly shifted the match before Atalanta made a decisive response.

Atalanta made three changes in the 60th minute, bringing on Charles De Ketelaere, Nikola Krstović and Lazar Samardžić for Nicola Zalewski, Gianluca Scamacca and Mario Pašalić. Five minutes later, Krstović scored to put the hosts back in front. The substitute finished his 33-minute appearance with one goal, two shots on target and one key pass, earning a 7.3 rating.

Statistics underline a narrow result

Sassuolo also led 8-7 in shots on goal and 11-8 in efforts from inside the box, but Atalanta’s greater possession and passing control helped them protect their advantage. Marco Carnesecchi was another key contributor, making seven saves in 93 minutes and receiving a 7.9 rating. Corners were level at four apiece, while Atalanta committed nine fouls to Sassuolo’s 10. No cards or other disciplinary incidents were listed.

The supplied standings list Atalanta 10th and Sassuolo 13th, with both recorded on zero points from zero games and no recent form data available. The completed result gives Atalanta the win, while Sassuolo leave Bergamo beaten despite their superior shot volume.