Giacomo Raspadori struck inside the opening ten minutes to hand Atalanta an early advantage against Sassuolo in their Serie A curtain-raiser at the Gewiss Stadium.
Manager Maurizio Sarri named an attack-minded starting lineup for the hosts, deploying Nicola Zalewski and Raspadori on the flanks alongside central striker Gianluca Scamacca.
The breakthrough arrived in the sixth minute when midfielder Gianluca Gaetano unlocked the visitors' backline, sliding an incisive through ball directly into the path of Raspadori.
The Italian forward made no mistake with the opening chance, rifling a confident strike high under the crossbar to put the Bergamo outfit firmly ahead.
Sassuolo attempted to respond immediately and fashioned a chance four minutes later through K. Bowie, but the attacker was unable to beat goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi.
Atalanta maintained their attacking rhythm moments later as Zalewski tested the opposition defence from range, cutting inside dangerous territory from the right wing to unleash a shot.
Midfielders Mario Pasalic and Ederson dictated the tempo across the centre of the pitch, allowing Sarri's side to control possession and establish early territorial dominance.
Defenders Odilon Kossounou and Giorgio Scalvini maintained discipline at the back alongside full-back Lorenzo Bernasconi, effectively repelling any counter-attacking threat from the visiting team.
