Atalanta appear to still be adapting to life after Gian Piero Gasperini, given their stop-start beginning to life with Ivan Jurić at the helm. Still unbeaten coming into the clash, they had won just two of their opening six Serie A matches to leave them in mid-table.
So important for the club in recent seasons, Ademola Lookman made just his second start after failing to manufacture a move away in the summer, and his lack of match fitness was clear in the opening 45 minutes.
That not only had a negative effect on his own attacking performance, but also that of his team, who managed just a single shot on target before the break, courtesy of Davide Zappacosta’s low drive that was saved by Ivan Provedel.
Le Dea saw most of the ball early on, but Lazio looked the more threatening, even if they were unable to create many opportunities in what was a tepid first half.
Toma Basic did sting Marco Carnesecchi’s palms with a free-kick from distance, while Mattéo Guendouzi sliced an effort wide, yet nobody could have any real qualms with the goalless half-time scoreline.
Atalanta were toothless prior to the interval, but they were a different side following the restart. It was one-way traffic for long periods, and the hosts had plenty of chances to go in front.
Lookman had the first, heading over the crossbar from a great position, before Honest Ahanor poked wide from close range at the back post.
Ederson was next to try his luck, firing straight at Provedel, before substitute Nikola Krstović’s deflected effort was also a comfortable stop.
There was nothing simple about his next intervention, though, as he dove down to his left to push Lookman’s low shot past the post.
Zappacosta then went even closer as he struck the post, before Provedel produced another important save to thwart Marten de Roon from the follow-up.
Lazio, meanwhile, offered nothing at the other end, but they had their goalkeeper to thank as they returned to the Italian capital with a point.
The result leaves them just four points clear of the bottom three, and they will be eager to produce a more inspired display when they host Juventus next week.
Atalanta, on the other hand, will feel they did more than enough to win, although just a second clean sheet in their past 12 competitive fixtures will be something of a consolation.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ivan Provedel (Lazio)