Atalanta continued their strong start to 2026 with a 2-1 victory over struggling Cremonese, extending their unbeaten run in Serie A to seven matches, including five wins.
The result keeps La Dea firmly in the hunt for a top-six finish.
From the outset, Atalanta controlled proceedings. Giacomo Raspadori tested Emil Audero early, while Nikola Krstovic came close to converting the rebound from the resulting corner.
Audero, who had made 80 saves this season, only two keepers in the league had more, was beaten in the 13th minute when Krstovic swivelled and volleyed the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs, claiming the top spot in Atalanta’s scoring charts with seven goals this term.
Atalanta nearly doubled their lead seven minutes later. Lazar Samardzic, promoted to the starting XI at the last minute after Charles De Ketelaere withdrew, rattled the crossbar with a powerful counter-attack effort.
The second goal came in the 25th minute from an unexpected source: right wing-back Davide Zappacosta, who struck a low shot from a tight angle to the far corner, netting his first goal since March 2025.
Cremonese struggled to create, managing only two first-half shots, neither of which troubled Marco Carnesecchi.
The visitors’ attacking woes persisted into the second half, though they had moments of promise, including Morten Thorsby, making his debut for Cremonese after joining from Genoa, sending a looping header wide.
Atalanta pressed for more, with Nicola Zalewski narrowly missing and Samardzic later squandering a 12-yard opportunity.
Raspadori came close to scoring a spectacular goal in the 76th minute, while Milan Duric was denied a late consolation by Carnesecchi.
Cremonese avoided a historic scoreless streak thanks to Thorsby, who slid home in stoppage time to prevent the club from failing to score in five consecutive top-flight matches for the first time.
The win sees Atalanta move just two points behind sixth-placed Como, keeping their top-six ambitions alive.
Meanwhile, Cremonese remain 16th, winless in 10 league matches (D3, L7), hovering just five points above the relegation zone.
