Krstović double helps Atalanta beat Venezia

Atalanta beat Venezia 3-1 to end a run of three consecutive defeats. After racing into a three-goal lead, they withstood a response from Giovanni Stroppa’s side. Krstović’s brace helped secure the win, while Elmas’s late red card left Atalanta under pressure: the visitors threatened to make it 3-2.

Franck Kessié opened the scoring in the fourth minute, delicately chipping home a precise pass from Nikola Krstović. Venezia then pushed to get back into the match. Jayden Adams and John Yeboah hit the woodwork, and another Venezia goal was ruled out for offside. Despite those chances, Atalanta’s early efficiency proved decisive. Atalanta's win placed the side in the table's middle section; Venezia had earned no points in six matches and sat last.

Maurizio Sarri was pleased with his side’s first-half display but acknowledged that they lost control after the break. “We played at a high level in the first half. In the second half we paid for it physically and mentally. We stopped pressing them in their half, and our build-up became messy. By allowing them to take control, we inevitably created opportunities for the opposition,” the Atalanta coach said.

Sarri also explained his decision to start Krstović ahead of Gianluca Scamacca: he wanted a forward able to run into the space behind Venezia’s defence. “I chose Krstović because I wanted more depth, as they were willing to accept one-on-one situations behind their defence. I preferred that type of player. Bringing Elmas in also gave us another attacking option and helped us maintain our balance,” he said.

Venezia coach Giovanni Stroppa lamented the mistakes that undermined his team’s response, despite a second half in which they created chances. He said his side had been naive for the second goal and lacked composure in front of goal. Atalanta, meanwhile, held on to their lead even after Elmas was sent off late for a challenge on Þórir Helgason.