Atalanta’s 2022-2023 Serie A campaign kicks off with a victory, as Gasperini’s men win 2-0 at the Stadio Ferraris in Genoa through goals from Toloi and Lookman at the end of a thrilling match.
It was a shivering start from Atalanta as Mæhle had to pull off a great sliding tackle to deny Leris within seconds. Caputo then had the ball in the net for Sampdoria, but the goal was disallowed by the referee after a VAR review for a Leris foul on Mæhle in the build-up. Atalanta came really close to taking the lead through Mæhle in the 22nd minute, as Hateboer rolled it across the face of goal for the Danish wingback, who hit the woodwork at the back post from close range. So, it was captain Rafael Toloi who broke the deadlock in the 26th minute: Zapata jiggled with the ball on the left and crossed in for Pašalić, who nodded back down at the far post and Toloi tapped in from close range. The Nerazzurri headed into half-time with a 1-0 lead.
Atalanta got off to a strong start in the second half, as Okoli couldn’t keep his header on target and Zapata couldn’t find the back of the net. Sampdoria fought hard to find the equaliser and almost got it through Sabiri, whose ferocious free-kick smashed the far post. Quagliarella also had chances, as his volley in the 78th minute flashed across the face of goal and skimmed the upright, and minutes later another right-foot curler from him clipped the crossbar. Atalanta went on the counterattack on 89 minutes and Lookman had the ball in the net, turning Zapata’s cross in but it was ruled offside. However, Lookman finally found the back of the net on his Atalanta and Serie A debut in the 95th minute, as he was sent on the counter by Malinovskyi and the Nigerian cut back to send his defender to the ground and beat Audero. Atalanta claim a 2-0 win at the Marassi to kick off their Serie A campaign.
SAMPDORIA 0-2 ATALANTA
Scorers: Toloi 26 (A), Lookman 95 (A)
Sampdoria: Audero, Bereszynski (Depaoli 58), Ferrari, Colley, Augello, Vieira, Leris, Rincon, Sabiri, Djuricic (Verre 58), Caputo (De Luca 58). Bench: Ravaglia, Villar, Murillo, Gabbiadini, Quagliarella, Yepes, Murru, Malagrida. Coach: Marco Giampaolo.
Atalanta: Musso, Toloi (Scalvini 72), Okoli, Djimsiti, Hateboer, de Roon, Koopmeiners, Mæhle (Zortea 72), Pašalić (Malinovskyi 84), Muriel (Lookman 63), Zapata. Bench: Rossi, Sportiello, Boga, Ruggeri. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Referee: Federico Dionisi from L’Aquila.
Assistants: Alessandro Costanzo from Orvieto and Matteo Passeri from Gubbio.
Fourth official: Gianpiero Miele from Nola.
V.A.R.: Luca Pairetto from Nichelino.
A.V.A.R.: Alberto Tegoni from Milano.
Notes: Ferrari (S), Okoli (A), Pašalić (A), Verre (S), Musso (A), Quagliarella (S), Sabiri (S), de Roon (A), Zortea (A), Hateboer (A) booked.
