Nikola Krstovic came in as a late addition to Atalanta’s starting lineup and quickly made his mark, scoring both goals as the Nerazzurri secured a vital 2-0 victory over Bologna, leapfrogging the hosts in the Serie A table.
The clash carried extra significance as a direct contest for European qualification spots. Bologna, despite reaching the Supercoppa Italiana Final, had struggled recently, taking only two points from their last five league games.
The side remained without key players Lukasz Skorupski and Federico Bernardeschi, although Riccardo Orsolini returned to the starting XI following their defeat to Inter.
Atalanta, meanwhile, were riding high after a weekend win over Roma under Raffaele Palladino, but they were hit by fresh injury setbacks to Gianluca Scamacca and Sead Kolasinac, adding to the absences of Raoul Bellanova, Mitchel Bakker, Ademola Lookman, and Odilon Kossounou, the latter two away at AFCON.
Bologna threatened early, with Ederson attempting a daring back-heel on Nicola Zalewski’s pass, while Thijs Dallinga miscontrolled under pressure from Nicolò Cambiaghi.
Honest Ahanor came closest for the hosts when his header from a corner skimmed the crossbar.
Atalanta took the lead when Charles De Ketelaere delivered a precise cross from the right, and Krstovic met it first-time from 10 yards, rifling it home with the inside of his right foot.
The visitors almost doubled their advantage when Jonathan Rowe came off the bench, testing Marco Carnesecchi from distance, only for Lewis Ferguson to block Krstovic’s follow-up from a Bernasconi assist.
Moments of panic came for Atalanta as Giorgio Scalvini narrowly avoided an own goal from a Torbjorn Heggem header, but the breakthrough came soon after.
Marten de Roon lofted a clever ball over the top, allowing Krstovic to beat the offside trap and finish low with his left foot from just inside the area.
Bologna continued to probe, with De Ketelaere stinging Ravaglia’s gloves and Cambiaghi setting up Rowe for a curling effort that Carnesecchi tipped away.
As the evening wore on, the Atalanta keeper produced a string of key saves, including a sharp reaction stop from Nikola Moro’s long-range strike.
Krstovic’s double not only secured three points but also highlighted Atalanta’s resilience despite a depleted squad, leaving them with a crucial boost in their European chase.
