Jose Leonardo Talamonti scored the only goal of the game to end Atalanta's four-game winless run at Lazio this weekend.

The former Lazio defender broke the deadlock in the 24th minute to hand his team all three points at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Bergamaschi had fallen off the pace in the top half of Serie A following their recent poor form which had seen them take two points of a possible 12.

The outcome allowed Atalanta to climb to 11th in the standings while it leaves Lazio five points behind Roma, who hold the last European qualifying spot.

Delio Rossi's Lazio looked a very different side today to that which had enjoyed a brilliant win at Juventus in midweek to reach the Coppa Italia final.

The hosts clearly missed injured striker Goran Pandev as they struggled for creativity.

Aleksandar Kolarov enjoyed the first chance with an effort from the distance in the fourth minute that did not cause Atalanta goalkeeper Andrea Consigli any problem.

Atalanta replied with Sergio Floccari's strike from inside the area going just wide of the far post.

The visitors surged forward more aggressively and their efforts were rewarded midway through the first half.

Talamonti latched onto Luca Cigarini's cross and his close-range header beat Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

Stunned, Lazio failed to react and it was Atalanta who took command.

Two great pieces of play almost produced goals shortly after the half-hour mark as first Cristiano Doni's volley forced Muslera to dive to clear.

Seconds later, at the other end, Lazio had the best chance of the half as Mauro Zarate broke into the area before unleashing a shot which went inches wide of the far post.

Lazio missed another good opportunity before the break but neither Zarate nor Tommaso Rocchi were able to get behind Pasquale Foggia's dangerous cross towards the far post.

The Romans picked up where they left off and Rocchi fired a good angled effort just wide from the edge of the area.

With the home side unable to threaten Consigli, Atalanta pushed forward looking to kill the game off.

On the hour mark, Muslera was call into action to save Cigarini's right-footed strike from the edge of the area.

Shortly after, Talamonti's long-range effort did not trouble the Lazio keeper while at the other end, Christian Brocchi's powerful strike went off target.

In the 75th minute, Atalanta almost extended their lead but Simone Padoin missed the finishing chance from Marino Defendi's cross towards the near post.

Radu looked to put his side back on level terms with less than four minutes to play, with his bullet-strike from outside the area warming the hands of Consigli.

Rocchi should have clinched a point for Lazio with seconds left to play, but the striker did well to control the ball inside the area only to fire high to the stands, in what was the last chance in a frustrating afternoon for the Rome-based side.