Atalanta 3-1 Venezia: Krstovic Double Ends Sarri’s Slump

FolioPitch.com – 13 October 2026 | In a dominant first-half display, Atalanta secured a resounding 3-1 victory over Venezia at the New Balance Arena, ending a three-match losing streak. The match, which saw Nikola Krstovic score twice and Franck Kessie add another, was a crucial win for Maurizio Sarri‘s side. The Serie A Atalanta 3-1 Venezia Krstovic double ends Sarri slump, as the hosts raced to a three-goal lead inside half an hour, before a late red card for Eljif Elmas threatened to unravel their dominance.

Sarri had faced mounting pressure after three consecutive defeats, and he responded by switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Charles De Ketelaere operating behind Krstovic. The tactical tweak paid immediate dividends, as Atalanta looked sharp and incisive from the outset. Venezia, bottom of the table without a point, were overwhelmed early on, though they showed resilience after the break.

First-Half Blitz

The hosts took the lead in the fourth minute when Krstovic picked out Kessie inside the box. The Ivorian midfielder spotted goalkeeper Filip Stankovic off his line and executed a perfect lob to make it 1-0. Just two minutes later, Krstovic doubled the advantage, rising to meet Elmas’s corner and planting a header inside the far post. Venezia’s defence was in disarray, and things went from bad to worse when defender Thierry Correia was forced off with an injury in the eighth minute.

Despite the early setback, Venezia’s goalkeeper Stankovic kept his side in the game with a string of saves. He denied De Ketelaere with a full-stretch dive and then pushed away Jonathan Rowe’s low effort on the half-hour mark. However, Krstovic was on hand to pounce on the rebound, scoring his second and Atalanta’s third. The visitors managed to pull one back before the break when substitute Richie Sagrado whipped in a cross and Antoine Hainaut burst into the box to finish from close range.

Venezia’s Fightback Falls Short

After the interval, Venezia came out with renewed vigour. Akor Adams headed against the bar and John Yeboah struck the post as the visitors pushed to reduce the deficit. Stankovic, at the other end, kept out another Krstovic effort to deny him a hat-trick. On 61 minutes, Adams thought he had pulled another goal back, but VAR ruled it out for offside. Carnesecchi then denied Yeboah after a mazy run, and Stankovic produced the save of the match to keep out Elmas’s snap shot.

As the game entered its final stages, there was a late twist. Elmas was booked for a reckless challenge, but referee Paride Tremolada was sent to the monitor and upgraded it to a straight red, leaving Atalanta to see out the closing stages with 10 men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Atalanta held on to secure a vital three points. The Serie A Atalanta 3-1 Venezia Krstovic double ends Sarri slump, and the result will come as a huge relief to the coach and the fans.

Key Statistics

Atalanta’s clinical finishing was the difference, as they scored with all three of their first-half shots on target. Venezia, despite dominating possession, lacked the same cutting edge. The Serie A Atalanta 3-1 Venezia Krstovic double ends Sarri slump, and it also highlights Venezia’s struggles at the bottom of the table. They remain winless and will need to address their defensive frailties if they are to avoid relegation.

Conclusion

Atalanta’s emphatic win over Venezia provides a much-needed boost for Maurizio Sarri and his squad. The Serie A Atalanta 3-1 Venezia Krstovic double ends Sarri slump, and the performance of Nikola Krstovic, in particular, will give the coach confidence moving forward. However, the late red card for Elmas is a concern, and Sarri will need to manage his squad carefully in the coming weeks. For Venezia, the search for a first point continues, and they must regroup quickly to avoid being cut adrift at the bottom.