ATALANTA continued their fine start to the season with a deserved Champions League victory at Stuttgart.
The Italian side enjoyed more possession in the first half but it was the hosts who spurned the two best chances.
First Anthony Rouault headed over from close range before former Brighton striker Deniz Undav fired into the side netting after slipping in behind the defence.
However, the Serie A side, fresh from a dominant 3-0 win over Napoli on Sunday, started the second half on the front foot and took the lead through Ademola Lookman.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s decision to bring on Charles De Ketelaere at half-time paid off as the substitute beat his man before producing a low cross that Lookman tapped home.
Lookman, who scored a hat-trick in last season’s Europa League final, has now scored eight goals in 12 games in all competitions this term.
Stuttgart almost hit back instantly but Ermedin Demirovic somehow missed from a few yards out following a cut-back across the face of goal.
The German side increased the pressure but Atalanta secured the win when substitute Nicolo Zaniolo scored on the break.
Atalanta, who are yet to concede a goal in Europe this season, move up to ninth in the table with eight points after four games, while Stuttgart are down to 25th with four points.
On matchday five Stuttgart will travel to Belgrade to face Crvena Zvezda, while Atalanta will take on Young Boys in Switzerland.
