Atalanta 0-1 Roma: Aleksandar Kolarov nets debut free kick

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Aleksandar Kolarov scored the only goal of the game on his debut for Roma
The former Manchester City star found the net with a low free kick on Sunday
Hosts Atalanta missed a glorious chance to equalise when Josip Ilicic hit the post

Published: 15:53 EDT, 20 August 2017 | Updated: 20:41 EDT, 20 August 2017

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Aleksandar Kolarov found the net with a crafty free kick on his debut to give Roma a 1-0 win at Atalanta in their opening Serie A game of the season on Sunday.

Kolarov is known for blasting free kicks but this time he rolled the ball along the ground and fooled the players in the Atalanta wall, who instinctively jumped and let it go underneath them.

The Serb's 31st-minute goal ensured a winning start for Roma's new coach Eusebio Di Francesco, who replaced Luciano Spalletti during the close season.

Aleksandar Kolarov scored the winner on his Roma debut as his new side beat Atalanta 1-0

The former Manchester City defender craftily slid a low free kick under the jumping wall

Roma, runners-up last season, had to survive a late siege to their penalty area and Atalanta should have equalised when Alejandro Gomez's cross found Josip Ilicic unmarked, but he contrived to hit the post from point-blank range.

Atalanta dominated possession at the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia.

They also registered more shots than Roma - 16 to six.

But it was Roma who came away with three points and a result which ends a run of five games without a win against Atalanta.

It also sets Di Francesco's side up nicely for next weekend's home clash with Inter Milan.