Matchday 25 of the 2023-2024 Serie A TIM season saw the Nerazzurri defeat Sassuolo 3-0 at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo to reach 45 points and remain fourth in the standings, recording their fifth consecutive league win and seventh in a row at home (eighth including the Coppa Italia).
In an action-packed first half, Thorstvedt shot wide, Holm turned Miranchuk’s free-kick over the bar and Zappacosta’s shot from a tight angle was saved by Consigli’s legs. Atalanta then began to pile on the pressure. Zappacosta tested the Sassuolo goalkeeper again on 20 minutes and two minutes later the pressure paid off as the Nerazzurri broke the deadlock when Consigli parried Miranchuk’s effort but could do nothing about Pašalić’s tap-in. Sassuolo tried to fight back and twice tested Carnesecchi, first through Laurienté (30′) and then Henrique, whose 31st-minute close-range effort was tipped over by the Nerazzurri goalkeeper. Holm almost doubled Atalanta’s lead when Consigli’s leg saved his header before Sassuolo were awarded a penalty via VAR deep into stoppage time: Carnesecchi saved Pinamonti’s spot-kick, but it had to be retaken after a Nerazzurri player encroachment. Pinamonti stepped up again on 50 minutes, but Carnesecchi was again equal to the task and denied the Sassuolo forward.
The second half began with Zappacosta’s effort again being saved by Consigli, while Pašalić’s left-footed shot went over. Koopmeiners doubled the Nerazzurri’s lead in the 58th minute after a lovely team move, Miranchuk feeding Holm, who set up Koopmeiners to make it first-time 2-0. After Pašalić had fired wide and Miranchuk’s effort was tipped over by Consigli, Bakker made it 3-0 just seconds after coming off the bench as his finish took a deflection off Pedersen and sent Consigli the wrong way on 76 minutes. The Dutchman almost had a brace three minutes later when his header went inches wide. Scamacca and Adopo went close in the stoppage time, but the Sassuolo goalkeeper was on hand to keep the scoreline at 3-0.
The squad will now enjoy two days off as training will resume on Tuesday afternoon with a behind-closed-doors session at the Centro Bortolotti in Zingonia.
ATALANTA 3-0 SASSUOLO
Scorers: Pašalić 23 (A), Koopmeiners 58 (A), Bakker 75 (A).
Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolašinac (Hien 82), Holm (Bakker 84), Éderson, Pašalić, Zappacosta, Koopmeiners (Adopo 89), Miranchuk (Scamacca 74), De Ketelaere (El Bilal 82). Bench: Musso, Rossi, Toloi, de Roon, Ruggeri, Hateboer. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Sassuolo: Consigli, Pedersen, Tressoldi, Viti, Doig, Lipani (Boloca 60), Henrique, Bajrami (Defrel 60), Thorstvedt (Volpato 72), Laurienté (Ferrari 84), Pinamonti (Mulattieri 72). Bench: Pegolo, Cragno, Missori, Racic, Ceide, Kumbulla, Castillejo. Coach: Alessio Dionisi.
Referee: Alessandro Prontera from Bologna;
Assistant referees: Ciro Carbone from Naples and Alessandro Giallatini from Roma 2;
Fourth official: Francesco Cosso from Reggio Calabria;
V.A.R.: Daniele Paterna from Teramo;
A.V.A.R.: Aleandro Di Paolo from Avezzano.
Notes: In the 50th minute, Carnesecchi (A) saved a penalty from Pinamonti (S).
