Charles De Ketelaere delivered a sparkling display as Atalanta stormed to a 4-1 victory over Lecce, sealing their first win of the campaign.
La Dea had stumbled through opening draws with Pisa and Parma, still searching for a breakthrough despite being without Gianluca Scamacca, Ederson, Sead Kolasinac and Mitchel Bakker through injury.
Ademola Lookman was also excluded following concerns over his attitude after a failed transfer move.
Nikola Krstovic, facing his old club, earned his first start, while Lecce arrived in Bergamo with only one point and no goals from their opening two fixtures, further hampered by absences including Balthazar Pierret, Matias Perez, Mohamed Kaba, Filip Marchwinski and Gaby Jean.
Atalanta threatened early as Riccardo Sottil went close with a low drive, before Krstovic also fired narrowly wide. The opener came midway through the first half from a set piece: Nicola Zalewski’s corner was met by Giorgio Scalvini, whose towering header nestled into the near top corner.
The hosts doubled their advantage immediately after the restart. Krstovic held the ball up superbly before laying it off for De Ketelaere, who coolly guided a right-footed strike into the far corner.
They almost added another soon after, Zalewski’s thunderous free-kick rattling the underside of the bar before Wladimiro Falcone denied Mario Pasalic’s rebound header with a spectacular save.
De Ketelaere continued to shine, twice sending Krstovic clear with sublime passes. However, the striker failed to convert either chance, including a gilt-edged miss at the back post against his former teammates.
Atalanta’s third was a product of fluid attacking play. De Ketelaere slipped Zalewski through, and the winger showed guile by feinting a curling shot before drilling low into the near corner.
Minutes later, De Ketelaere capped his outstanding night by capitalising on a Siebert error, racing through to slot past Falcone with his left foot for his second of the match.
Lecce finally found some joy late on, Konan N’Dri blasting an unstoppable strike into the top corner from distance to register their first goal of the season.
Carnesecchi preserved Atalanta’s cushion with a stunning reflex stop from N’Dri’s volley, before Krstovic saw his strike chalked off due to Yunus Musah’s offside position in the build-up.
De Ketelaere’s brilliance proved decisive, inspiring Atalanta to a convincing win that may well ignite their season.
