Roma put in a fluid first half performance but was pushed all the way as the Giallorossi halted Atalanta’s charge up the league at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday to record a 3-1 victory.

The visitors came into the match undefeated with three successive wins and showed their confidence as Simone Padoin fizzed a shot past Bogdan Lobont’s near post. There was hope Maarten Stekelenburg would return between the posts after his collision with Inter defender Lucio two weeks ago, but the Dutch shot-stopper was left out of Luis Enrique’s matchday squad.

Pablo Osvaldo went close from eight yards after good covering from Andrea Masiello, and that seemed to spark Roma into life as it took control of midfield.

The pressure proved too much for the Bergamo side as Bojan Krkic latched onto a beautifully angled ball from De Rossi, and the former Barcelona striker showed strength to hold off Gianpaolo Bellini and score his first goal for the club.

Bojan almost made it a double as he again bossed the defense to force Consigli to tip over, and from the resulting corner Osvaldo took advantage of some haphazard Atalanta defending. Masiello was slow retreating, playing Osvaldo onside, and the striker was afforded time to control and make it 2-0 at half-time.

Stefano Colantuono sent his side out with renewed vigor after the break and it got one back minutes into the second period; German Denis out-jumping Gabriel Heinze to nod home his fourth of the season.

Totti almost restored Roma’s two goal advantage after blasting a shot from inside Atalanta’s box, but the captain’s effort went inches wide.

The visiting team continued to push for the equalizer, winning a succession of corners but Roma managed to regain its composure and 10 minutes from the end, it sealed all three points. Fabio Simplicio, starting his first game of the season, played a smart one-two with Pjanic, and the Brazilian burst into the box to chip Consigli and make the final score 3-1.

Luis Enrique's second successive Serie A win sends his side provisionally up to third in the table with eight points from five games.