Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessié scored his first goal since returning to Atalanta as the Italian side ended a run of three consecutive Serie A defeats with a 3-1 victory over Venezia.
The 29-year-old opened the scoring in the fourth minute of the sixth matchday fixture, producing a composed chip to give Atalanta an early advantage in front of their home supporters.
Kessié’s goal set the tone for a strong attacking performance from the Bergamo-based club, who capitalised on their first-half display to secure three valuable points.
The strike was particularly significant for the Ivorian, whose previous goal for Atalanta had come nine years earlier, before he returned to the club.
His latest contribution also marked his first goal of the current Serie A campaign, providing an encouraging start to his return to Italian football.
Kessié’s performance extended beyond the goal. He made 52 touches, completed 84% of his passes and recorded two shots as he contributed to Atalanta’s efforts in midfield.
The Elephants international has a long-standing connection with the club, having previously developed at Atalanta before establishing himself as a professional footballer.
Reflecting on that relationship, Kessié said the Italian side had played a crucial role in his career and helped him achieve his ambition of becoming a professional player.
“Atalanta gave me EVERYTHING, allowed me to realise the dream of becoming a professional, taking me from the Ivory Coast.”
His latest goal offered a reminder of that connection, with the midfielder making an immediate impact in a match that brought relief to Atalanta after a difficult run of league results.
The victory ended their three-match losing streak and lifted them to 10th place in the Serie A standings, according to the figures provided.
Despite the improvement, Atalanta remained seven points behind league leaders Inter, leaving them with ground to make up as the season progresses.
For Kessié, however, the goal represents an important personal milestone and an opportunity to strengthen his influence within the team.
The midfielder’s ability to contribute both defensively and in attack remains valuable to Atalanta, while his experience with Ivory Coast adds further international pedigree to the squad.
