"Grazie Denis" read a banner held aloft in the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia stands. The 34-year-old was bidding farewell to the Bergamo club and, as he departed to a standing ovation on 81 minutes, he could barely keep his emotions in check.
His teammates embraced him as his number went up. Visiting midfielder Federico Magnanelli offered a handshake. Even the referee, Claudio Gavillucci, obliged and the Atalanta faithful inside the stadium began with the vintage "Denis" chants.
Doubtless the veteran forward will remember this day vividly, and it was fitting that he departed with a goal to his name.
Domenico Berardi had edged the away side in front on 27 minutes but Denis replied five minutes later. Despite being thwarted by Andrea Consigli from the penalty spot, the 34-year-old followed up to mark this poignant occasion with a goal.
Ebb and flow
The Neroverdi began brightly and were indignant when Domenico Berardi had the ball in the net inside five minutes but was wrongly adjudged to have strayed offside. Replays revealed that Boukary Drame was keeping the Italian U21 international onside after Diego Falcinelli’s shot fizzled into his path.
Eusebio Di Francesco's side almost engendered an opener on 21 minutes when the aforementioned Berardi spotted Alfred Duncan on the edge of the area but the midfielder ballooned his effort into the stands.
Waving farewell to Bergamo outfit, German Denis was presented with an opportunity on 13 minutes to mark his evening with a goal, but his shot was tame and was comfortably collected by Andrea Consigli.
Berardi may have been stripped of a rightful strike early in the contest but there was no qualms surrounding his and Sassuolo’s opener. Sime Vrsaljko forayed down the right and, after his low-driven cross was deflected into the area, the Italian was perfectly placed to stroke into the net from close-range.
Not only was Atalanta’s response swift but it was also fitting. After liberating Jasmin Kurtic and drawing a spot-kick from Consigli’s clattering, Denis assumed penalty duties and, despite missing his initial effort, followed up the rebound to restore parity.
A poignant moment for the forward who embraced the lucky ball boy behind the goal.
The away side emerged from the interval with a spring in their step. Falcinelli dovetailed promisingly with Berardi on the edge of the area but the ball took a wicked bobble and the latter skied his right-footed effort into touch.
Alejandro Gomez fashioned an effort at goal on 55 minutes as the game became stretched.
'Grazie Denis'
Edy Reja’s side were beginning to show promise in their build-up play and they very nearly had rewards to show for it when Kurtic, Gomez and Luca Cigarini combined beautifully just shy of the hour mark. The latter, though, could only find the palms of Consigli with his resulting effort.
Francesco Magnanelli’s sumptuous round-the-corner pass freed Falcinelli through on goal but the forward could not bring the ball under control.
Marcelo Trotta, procured from Serie B outfit Avellino earlier in the month, was introduced for Gregoire Defrel as the Neroverdi went in search of a win.
Sassuolo appeared the more menacing side as the contest crept towards its autumn. Berardi drifted inside on 81 minutes and tried to usher in Nicola Sansone but Marco Sportiello was vigilant and foiled the danger