Walter Mazzarri kicked off his second tenure of Napoli with an impressive 2-1 victory at Atalanta courtesy of goals by Kvichva Kvaratskhelia and Eljif Elmas.
The opener came at the end of a first period dominated by the Azzurri. After Amir Rrahmani had an excellent headed effort ruled out for offside, Kvara got in on the act himself by rising to power a header past Marco Carnesecchi shortly before the break.
Ademola Lookman equalised with a carbon copy goal soon after the restart and the game turned into a physical battle as both sides sought a winner.
Mazzarri brought on Victor Osimhen – making his return from an injury layoff – and Elmas in the 64th minute and the pair teamed up a quarter of hour later to snatch victory.
Osimhen chased down Carnesecchi, forcing the keeper to make a hurried clearance, then pounced on the loose ball, sliding it into the path of the North Macedonian. Elmas gratefully accepted and finished coolly into the bottom corner.
The three points see Napoli return to winning ways and give Mazzarri the perfect start ahead of Wednesday's visit to Real Madrid.
Atalanta 1-2 Napoli (0-1)
Scorers: Kvaratskhelia 44, Lookman 53, Elmas 79.
ATALANTA: Carnesecchi, Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac (Bonfanti 76), Zappacosta (Hateboer 33), Ederson, Koopmeiners, Bakker (Ruggeri 46), Pasalic, Lookman (Scamacca 83), De Ketelaere (Muriel 83).
Coach:. Gasperini.
NAPOLI: Gollini; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Natan (Ostigard 78), Olivera (Juan Jesus 39), Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski (Cajuste 78), Politano (Elmas 63), Kvaratskhelia, Raspadori (Osimhen 63).
Coach: Mazzarri.
Referee: Mariani (Aprilia).
Booked: Natan, Djimsiti, Di Lorenzo, Kolasinac.
