Atalanta produced an efficient away performance to defeat Sampdoria 2-1 in Serie A this afternoon.

Atalanta got off to a flying start through Giacomo Bonaventura, who latched on to Cristian Raimondi's pass after just two minutes.

German Denis could have doubled the visitors' lead on 16 minutes after he beat the keeper but saw his shot hit the post.

Bonaventura then shot wide of the target before Sampdoria started to get back into the game.

Enzo Maresca headed towards goal from a corner in the 25th minute but only the crossbar kept Atalanta ahead.

It was Maresca who notched the equaliser after 53 minutes when he pounced on a loose ball.

Atalanta were looking most likely to retake the lead as Luca Cigarini and Denis both missed the target with shots.

Denis then set up Giuseppe De Luca to restore Atalanta's lead with 15 minutes to play.