Franck Kessié opened the scoring in the fourth minute, finishing a precise pass from Nikola Krstović with a delicate chip. Krstović then headed in Eljif Elmas’s corner to double the advantage in the seventh minute before adding his second in the 31st, finishing from close range after another dangerous attacking move.
Venezia reduced the deficit before half-time when Antonio Hainaut headed in Richie Sagrado’s cross at the far post in the 37th minute.
The visitors emerged with renewed purpose after the break. Jayden Adams and John Yeboah struck the woodwork, while another Venezia effort was ruled out for offside. The visitors threatened to make it 3-2, but Atalanta held on despite losing Elmas to a late red card for a challenge on Þórir Helgason.
The victory moved Atalanta into mid-table, while Venezia remained bottom after six matches without a point.
Atalanta coach Maurizio Sarri was pleased with his team’s first-half performance but admitted they had lost control after the interval.
“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,” Sarri said.
He felt the team’s response after Elmas was sent off showed there was still fight in the side, but insisted they needed to sustain their dominance for longer.
“I didn't think we played that badly. In fact, when the sending-off happened, the team came alive again. The players made a tremendous effort, but we need to be braver and maintain that level of control for 60 minutes.”
Sarri also defended his decision to start Krstović ahead of Gianluca Scamacca, explaining that he wanted a forward capable of attacking 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.”
Venezia coach Giovanni Stroppa was frustrated that repeated mistakes had undermined his side’s response, despite a second half in which they created enough opportunities to threaten a comeback.
“I thought we had the right approach, considering the chances created by Yeboah and Bašić and the way we played in the second half. I am disappointed with the goals we conceded because Atalanta are dangerous going forward. We were naive for the second goal, and it was difficult to recover from that.
“The second half was excellent, but it wasn't enough. We had a goal disallowed and hit the crossbar twice. At 3-2, everything could have changed. Unfortunately, we keep paying for mistakes, especially in possession, and we are not clinical enough in front of goal.”
Atalanta’s early efficiency proved decisive, while Venezia were left to rue missed chances and the errors that continue to cost them points.