The Biancocelesti were looking to continue their fine run of form following their recent Supercoppa victory. Davide Ballardini’s side got off to a dream start following an early opener from captain Rocchi.
Despite a spirited second half fight-back, Angelo Gregucci’s Serie A debut proved to be a negative one as the Bergamaschi struggled to find a way past Fernando Muslera. The Aquilotti held on for their third consecutive victory under coach Ballardini - who seems to have found the perfect balance with his new side.
The first half got underway with a lighting pace and Mauro Zarate took just 120 seconds to gift Tommaso Rocchi a clear scoring opportunity. The Lazio captain seemed a little taken aback by the Argentine’s great through pass as he wasted the chance to break the deadlock.
It only took Lazio a further 20 minutes to find the opening goal. Pasquale Foggia produced a delightful through ball from wide, and Rocchi made no mistake with his second scoring opportunity. The Lazio captain coolly slotted past the advancing Andrea Consigli to gift the home side a deserved lead.
With the deadlock broken Ballardini’s men seemed to find their groove as they continued to attack from wide through Zarate and Foggia.
Atalanta looked to bounce back from their early setback but Robert Acquafresca found it almost impossible to find space given the impressive marking from Emilson Cribari.
Just before the break Lazio could have doubled their lead when Aleksandar Kolarov found himself inside the box following an inviting ball from Stefano Mauri. The Serbian smashed a wonderful effort far post, but his shot ended inches wide to the disarray of the Curva Nord.
As the sides left the field for some well deserved refreshments, the Biancocelesti were clearly worth their slender first half lead.
The Orobici emerged for the second period with an added sense of purpose and they pushed forward full of energy as they looked to level the scoring.
Gregucci’s men should have opened their account on 54 minutes when a loose ball found its way to Acquafresca on his own inside the box. The former Cagliari man must have been taken by surprise at the gift from Mauri however as sprayed wide from just 10 yards out.
The visitors seemed to grow just as Ballardini’s men started to show fatigue from their exploits in the Europa League. The Lazio tactician threw on Francelino Matuzalem to give added cover in midfield but the home side continued to drop deep.
The Aquilotti could have doubled their lead against the run of play when Zarate produced a quick break on 65 minutes. The Argentine picked the ball up on halfway and followed through with a wonderful drive from range - which finished just wide of the woodwork.
Atalanta looked to produce a final siege in the closing stages but Gregucci’s side were becoming increasingly exposed to Lazio’s quick counter-attacking game.
It proved too little, too late for the Bergamaschi as Gregucci’s coaching debut in Serie A began with defeat. Lazio continue their fine run of form after winning three consecutive games under new coach Ballardini.
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