Atalanta starting XI (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi, Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac (subbed for Kossounou), Zappacosta (subbed for Bellanova), Ederson, Pasalic, Zalewski (subbed for Bernasconi), Samardzic (subbed for Sulemana), Raspadori (subbed for Musah), Krstovic

Bench: Rossi, Sportiello, Hien, Bakker, Scamacca

Goals: Krstovic 13’, Zappacosta 25’

Cremonese starting XI (3-5-2): Audero, Ceccherini (subbed for Terracciano), Baschirotto, Luperto, Barbieri (subbed for Zerbin), Thorsby, Grassi (subbed for Payero), Maleh, Pezzella,
Vardy (subbed for Sanabria), Bonazzoli (subbed for Djuric)

Bench: Nava, Silvestri, Floriani Mussolini, Folino, Pavesi, Moumbagna

Goals: Thorsby 90+4’

The hosts took control early and looked comfortable for long periods, but Cremonese’s spirited fightback late on ensured a tense finish before Atalanta held on for all three points.

Atalanta started brightly and took the lead in the 13th minute when Nikola Krstović capitalised on a well-worked build-up and slotted home after an assist from Giacomo Raspadori, who is continuing his fine run since returning to Italian football.

The early goal settled the home side and allowed them to dictate the tempo for much of the first half.

Davide Zappacosta added a second for the Nerazzurri in the 25th minute. The right-back collected the ball on the flank, cut inside his marker and curled a precise finish beyond the reach of the Cremonese goalkeeper Emil Audero.

Cremonese refused to lie down and made things nervy late on. In added time, Morten Thorsby pulled one back after bringing the ball down with his chest and volleying past Marco Carnesecchi.

But it was too little, too late as Atalanta saw out the 2–1 victory.

The win lifts Atalanta up the Serie A table and keeps them in touch with the European qualifying positions as the season reaches its business end, while Cremonese’s third straight defeat leaves them battling in the lower half and still looking to find consistency.