Atalanta BC vs US Sassuolo

Serie A's curtain-raiser at the New Balance Arena matters for both sides. Atalanta finished outside the top four last season and settled for Conference League qualification, so a fast start under new boss Maurizio Sarri matters. Sassuolo, freshly crowned Serie B champions after just one season away, face an immediate test of where they stand. Atalanta's summer business has been eventful, with Marco Palestra sold to Chelsea and Marco Brescianini to Fiorentina, while Gianluca Gaetano and Thomas Kristensen arrived to help Sarri reshape the squad. Sassuolo go in under new coach Alberto Aquilani, who succeeds Fabio Grosso after his move to Fiorentina, leaning on captain Domenico Berardi and striker Andrea Pinamonti up front. History strongly favors the hosts: Atalanta have won 18 of the last 30 meetings and all three in the past year by an 8-1 aggregate, while Sassuolo have lost their last three Serie A openers without scoring. Our prediction: 2-0