Andrea Petagna scored a brace as SPAL took second place in Serie A with a 2-0 victory over Atalanta on Monday.
Petagna helped Atalanta to consecutive Europa League finishes in Serie A but scored only 11 goals in 75 appearances for the Dea, prior to joining SPAL on loan with an obligation to buy.
The hosts were flying after three wins and as many clean sheets on the trot, until Torino ended their 100 percent start just before the international break.
Atalanta, on the other hand, went out to FC Copenhagen in the Europa League playoffs and had gone four games without a win, having lost to Cagliari last time out.
The Orobici edged possession but could count themselves lucky to go in goalless at the interval as SPAL only hit the target with one of their five attempts at Pierluigi Gollina’s goal.
The attempt in question fell to Petagna, but Gollini managed to get a big hand on the ex-Atalanta forward’s strike.
Gian Piero Gasperini appeared to have seen enough by the 37th minute and not long after Emiliano Rigoni picked up a needless booking, the Argentine winger was replaced by Josip Ilicic for his first involvement of the season.
More of the same was served up in the second half, but Petagna was at the right place at the right time to mop up the rebound from Felipe’s saved header.
The Milan youth product was at it again six minutes later, not holding back in his celebration as Rafael Tololi deflected in his close-range shot.
VAR surprisingly only gave Atalanta a free kick late on, despite Ilicic being felled right on the edge of SPAL’s box, but the Slovenian dragged the set-piece wide.
SPAL 2-0 Atalanta
Petagna 50, 56
SPAL: Gomis; Cionek, Vicari (Djourou 78), Felipe; Lazzari (Simic 86), Kurtic, Schiattarella, Missiroli (Everton Luiz 72), Fares; Petagna, Antenucci
Atalanta: Gollini; Toloi, Palomino, Masiello; Castagne, De Roon (Pasalic 75), Freuler, Gosens; Rigoni (Ilicic 38), Zapata, Papu (Barrow 78)
Referee: Mariani