Berardi Brace Seals Comfortable Sassuolo Win Over Struggling Atalanta
Atalanta’s disappointing start to the Serie A campaign worsened on Sunday as they fell 3–0 at home to an impressive Sassuolo side, extending their winless streak to seven league matches.
The hosts looked eager early on, nearly striking inside the opening 10 minutes when Ademola Lookman’s fierce effort was blocked brilliantly by Jay Idzes on the line. But Sassuolo gradually grew into the contest and were rewarded just before the half-hour mark.
Andrea Pinamonti went down in the box under pressure from Marco Carnesecchi, handing the visitors a penalty. Domenico Berardi confidently converted, placing the ball into the bottom corner for his third league goal of the season. Atalanta, lacking creativity and urgency, produced just one shot on target in a worrying first half.
Two minutes after the restart, the situation worsened. Berardi turned provider, sliding a pass to Pinamonti, who spun neatly and fired home to double Sassuolo’s advantage.
Atalanta attempted to respond, with Nikola Krstovic going close in the 55th minute. But the visitors remained dangerous, and Kristian Thorstvedt nearly sealed the match moments later, dragging a close-range chance wide.
Home frustration reached boiling point midway through the second half. Thorstvedt sent Berardi clean through on goal, and the Italian forward kept his composure, slotting past Carnesecchi to complete his brace and seal a dominant Sassuolo performance.
The victory sees last season’s Serie B champions climb to an impressive eighth place in the table. Atalanta, meanwhile, slip to 13th after managing just two wins in their opening 11 matches, leaving serious questions hovering over Ivan Jurić’s struggling side.
