Mario Pasalic and Mateo Retegui struck to secure a 2-0 win for Atalanta, piling further pressure on struggling Venezia in their away fixture.
Atalanta’s injury woes continued to grow, with key players such as Sead Kolasinac, Odilon Kossounou, Rafael Toloi, Marco Brescianini, Gianluca Scamacca, and Giorgio Scalvini all sidelined.
However, there was some relief with Matteo Ruggeri and Berat Djimsiti back in action.
Venezia, missing only Bjarki Bjarkason, handed Filip Stankovic his debut in goal. Stankovic, son of former Inter and Lazio star Dejan Stankovic, stepped in as the Lagunari battled the weight of four defeats in their last five matches.
It didn’t take long for the visitors to capitalize on Venezia’s frailties. Atalanta broke the deadlock just seven minutes into the game, courtesy of a chaotic corner.
The ball bounced unpredictably in the penalty area before Mateo Retegui headed it into the path of Mario Pasalic, who expertly volleyed home from close range to put La Dea ahead.
Retegui, who was in fine form, came close again when he struck the side-netting from a tight angle. Venezia’s Stankovic was soon tested, pulling off a crucial save to deny Charles De Ketelaere’s curling shot from finding the top corner.
Venezia’s Gaetano Oristanio aimed for an equalizer with a curling effort that narrowly sailed over the crossbar, while Michael Svoboda nearly turned Ademola Lookman’s cross into his own net as he desperately tried to intercept it before Retegui could pounce.
Atalanta’s goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi also had his share of work, pushing Antonio Zampano’s powerful strike wide from a difficult angle.
Ademola Lookman came agonizingly close to doubling Atalanta’s lead when his thunderous long-range effort smashed against the crossbar, and De Ketelaere’s well-placed left-footed shot grazed the top corner minutes later.
Just seconds after the second half kicked off, Retegui was at it again, making the most of a defensive lapse by Antonio Candela.
Stealing the ball, Retegui calmly chipped it over the onrushing Stankovic, securing a two-goal cushion for Atalanta.
Venezia tried to mount a comeback, with Alfred Duncan drilling an effort just wide of the target and Ederson forcing a save from Stankovic, who was having a busy debut. Oristanio, continuing to search for a goal, again missed the mark from close range.
Stankovic’s debut performance ultimately helped limit the damage, notably with a brilliant fingertip save to push Lazar Samardzic’s dangerous shot over the bar.
However, despite his efforts, Venezia remained scoreless as Atalanta clinched a well-deserved 2-0 victory.
