Davide Zappacosta’s decisive strike secured a 1-0 win for Atalanta over Verona on a memorable day for club icon Marten de Roon.
La Dea were still reeling from their midweek Champions League exit to Bayern Munich and had managed just two points from their previous three Serie A matches, while also dealing with an injury setback to Gianluca Scamacca.
However, there was a boost with Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori edging back towards full fitness. Verona, meanwhile, were without Armel Bella-Kotchap, Domagoj Bradaric, Sandi Lovric and Suat Serdar.
The occasion was particularly special for Marten de Roon, who made history by becoming Atalanta’s all-time appearance leader with 436 games for the club.
Verona almost struck first when Lorenzo Montipò produced a fine save to palm away Nikola Krstovic’s powerful header, before Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro made a crucial goal-line block to deny Ederson after Davide Zappacosta had squared across the six-yard box.
Atalanta eventually broke through when Zappacosta unleashed a low drive from the edge of the area, which took a deflection and wrong-footed Montipò as it nestled into the bottom corner.
Verona responded strongly after the restart and should have levelled when Kieron Bowie met Rafik Belghali’s cross from close range, only to be denied by an outstanding reflex save from Marco Carnesecchi.
De Ketelaere then released Krstovic through on goal after intercepting a careless Gift Orban pass, but the striker’s attempted lob came back off the crossbar with Montipò stranded.
The Verona goalkeeper also reacted well to keep out a Mario Pašalić effort, while the visitors wasted two more big chances late on as Orban fired over from a promising position and later saw a shot blocked after Belghali was crowded out inside the box.
Despite late pressure, Atalanta held firm to claim all three points.
