On matchday 3 of the 2021-2022 Serie A TIM, the visitors win at the Gewiss Stadium thanks to two penalties in a controversial match affected by VAR.

It was a strong start from the Nerazzurri, as Zapata tested Terraciano in the opening minutes when he burst down the right. In the 10th minute, Djimsiti thought he had given Atalanta the lead when he fired in from a tricky angle, but his goal was disallowed after the VAR check, as Zapata interfered with play. After a few corners for Atalanta, Vlahovic’s cross-shot was beaten away by Sportiello, whose deflection hit Mæhle on the arm. After checking the VAR again, the referee awarded a penalty to Fiorentina for handball, which was converted by Vlahovic in the 33rd minute. Palomino then tried to equalize but his header was wide. Sottil was then sent clear on goal but was blocked by Freuler. The first half ended with the visitors in the lead.

Only a few minutes into the second half, Fiorentina were awarded another penalty after Bonaventura was brought down by Djimsiti. The penalty was once again converted by Vlahovic. Zapata tried to pull one back after he was sent through by Malinovskyi on 55 minutes but he was denied by Terracciano. From that moment, Atalanta started pouring forward and pinning Fiorentina back. That paid off as Gosens was brought down in the box by Callejon and the referee awarded Atalanta a penalty after the VAR check. Zapata stepped up and sent Terracciano the wrong way, pulling one back for Atalanta on 65 minutes. Minutes later, Malinovskyi pass found Duvan Zapata, whose shot was saved by Terracciano with one hand and Gosens hit the side-netting after a Zapata pass. From that moment, it was Atalanta creating chances all the way. Zappacosta cut back inside and his cross was blocked for a corner, then he couldn’t get Koopmeiners’ pass under control. It’s 1-2 at the end of a controversial match.

ATALANTA 1-2 FIORENTINA

Scorers:Vlahovic pens 33, 48 (F), Zapata pen65 (A)

Atalanta: Sportiello, Toloi, Palomino, Djimsiti, Zappacosta, Pašalić (Iličić 82), Freuler, Mæhle (Gosens 50), Pessina (Koopmeiners 85), Miranchuk (Malinovskyi 50), Zapata (Piccoli 82). Bench: Musso, Rossi, Pezzella, Demiral, Lovato. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.

Fiorentina: Terracciano, Venuti (Odriozola 25), Milenkovic, Igor, Biraghi, Bonaventura, Torreira (Amrabat 66), Duncan (Castrovilli 75), Callejon (Gonzalez 76), Vlahovic, Sottil (Saponara 66). Bench: Dragowski, Martinez Quarta, Maleh, Terzic, Benassi, Nastasic, Kokorin. Coach: Vincenzo Italiano.

Referee: Valerio Marini from Roma 1.
Assistants: Damiano Di Iorio from Vco and Mattia Scarpa from Reggio Emilia.
Fourth official: Matteo Marcenaro from Genoa.
V.A.R.: Aleandro Di Paolo from Avezzano.
A.V.A.R.: Daniele Bindoni from Venice.

Notes: Mæhle (A), Gosens (A), Freuler (A), Palomino (A), Bonaventura (F), Igor (F), Milenković (F), Amrabat (F), Odriozola (F) booked