Atalanta off the mark in six-goal Torino thriller

Milan (AFP) – Atalanta got their Serie A campaign off the mark on Saturday with a 4-2 comeback win over Torino.

The Bergamo side’s Italian league debut had been pushed back a week after they played in the Champions League last eight in Portugal last month.

But Gian Piero Gasperini’s side proved they had lost none of their attacking style from last season with the most goals scored in Serie A including 7-0 against Torino last January in Turin.

“We are stronger than last year,” warned Gasperini, after their third-place finish last campaign.

“You learn a lot from playing in Europe, and despite the difficulties we have suffered, we haven’t given up.

“This year some valuable players have arrived and if we are lucky enough to recover Ilicic we will be even stronger.”

Andrea Belotti had put the hosts on the scoresheet first, connecting with a Tomas Rincon pass to rifle in after 11 minutes, the first of a double for the Torino captain.

But Atalanta hit back two minutes later with Argentinian Papu Gomez’s rifling in from long range to leave Salvatore Sirigu with no chance in the Torino goal.

Gomez then set up Luis Muriel for the second after 21 minutes, with Hans Hateboer grabbing a third after 42 minutes.

Belotti’s header rekindled hopes going into the break but Atalanta dominated on returning, Muriel setting up Marten De Roon on 55 minutes to hand new Torino coach Marco Giampaolo his second defeat in as many games.

Inter Milan open their campaign later Saturday against Fiorentina with Lazio visiting Cagliari.

Andrea Pirlo’s Juventus face their first major test this season Sunday when the Serie A champions tackle Roma in the Stadio Olimpico.

Genoa’s match against Napoli has been pushed back three hours on Sunday to 1600GMT after goalkeeper Mattia Perin tested positive for coronavirus.

The entire Genoa and staff will have to undergo new tests.