Atalanta ended their three-match losing streak with a 3-1 victory over Venezia in the Italian Serie A on Monday, thanks to a brace from Nikola Krstovic and a goal from Franck Kessie.
The hosts made a flying start at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia in Bergamo, scoring three times within the opening 30 minutes to put themselves in control of the encounter.
Kessie opened the scoring in the fourth minute after Krstovic picked him out inside the penalty area.
The Ivorian midfielder then caught goalkeeper Filip Stankovic off his line and lifted the ball over him to give Atalanta the lead.
Two minutes later, Krstovic doubled the advantage, rising to meet Eljif Elmas’ corner with a header that found the far corner.
Venezia struggled to contain their opponents as Atalanta continued to threaten. Stankovic denied Charles De Ketelaere before making another save to keep out Jonathan Rowe’s low effort.
However, Krstovic reacted quickest to the rebound and fired home in the 30th minute to make it 3-0.
The visitors reduced the deficit eight minutes later when substitute Richie Sagrado delivered a cross into the box, allowing Antoine Hainaut to finish from close range.
Venezia returned from the break with renewed determination and came close to scoring on two occasions.
Akor Adams headed against the crossbar before John Yeboah struck the post as the visitors searched for a way back into the contest.
Adams appeared to have scored Venezia’s second goal in the 61st minute, but the effort was disallowed for offside following a VAR review.
Goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi also denied Yeboah after the forward worked his way through Atalanta’s defence.
Stankovic kept Venezia in the game with an impressive save to stop Elmas’ effort, while Adams headed narrowly wide as the visitors continued to press for another goal.
Atalanta’s task became more difficult in the closing stages when Elmas was initially booked for a reckless challenge.
However, referee Paride Tremolada reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor and upgraded the yellow card to a straight red in the 89th minute.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Atalanta held on to secure their first victory after three consecutive defeats, while Venezia remained without a point after their opening five matches.
