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- Pre-match thoughts: .
- After Inter's 1-1 draw with Sampdoria earlier in the day, Fiorentina were looking to cement first place in Serie A with a home game against Atalanta.
- Hat trick hero Nikola Kalinić returned to the starting lineup along with a seemingly rejuvenated Josip Iličić under Paulo Sousa.
- Half-time thoughts:
- Fiorentina are playing free flowing football as they go into the break 2-0 up with a penalty from Iličić and a goal from Borja Valero.
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Atalanta became the latest of Fiorentina's opposition to have a man red carded when Paletta - who was the last man - brought down Kuba in the box
- An excellent Ciprian Tătăruşanu save from Maxi Morales was a reminder that although completely dominant in posession, Fiorentina needed to beware of lapses in concentration and complacency
- Full-time thoughts:
- There were numerous chances in the second half for Fiorentina to add to their goal tally - most notable of the misses was a sublime cross from Valero which Kalinić just couldn't quite get his head onto.
- Atalanta looked well beaten as Fiorentina completely dominated possession second half
- Borja Valero was substituted on 82' to a fully deserved standing ovation from the fans at the Artemio Franchi
- Joan Verdú finished the rout in the 90th minute when he converted a cheeky Kalinić flick with a side footed volley - his debut goal in a viola shirt was a stunning one.
FIORENTINA: (3-4-2-1) Tata; Tomović, Gonzalo, Astori; Kuba, Badelj, Borja Valero (Fernandez 82'), Alonso; Bernardeschi (Vecino 67'), Iličić (Verdu 74'); Kalinić
Goals: Iličić PEN 6', Valero 34' Verdú 90'
ATALANTA: (4-3-3) Sportiello; Masiello, Paletta (sent off 6'), Toloi, Dramè; Grassi, De Roon(Carmona 81), Kurtic (Cherubin 22'); Maxi Moralez, Denis (D'Alessandro 46'), Gomez
Goals:
We’ll be back later with a full recap of all the action, but for now you can talk about the match, and the incredible start to the Serie A season for Fiorentina in the comments below.