Atalanta almost started the year on a losing note, not until Mario Pasalic proved to a Spezia nightmare by completing a comeback from 2-0 down.
Goals from Emanuel Gyasi and M’Bala Nzola put the host ahead before halftime as the visitors struggled to find their rhythm.
Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman almost had his name of the score sheet but Kelvin Amian made an acrobatic clearance to deny the Super Eagles forward.
Lookman was however substituted in the 57th minute for Luis Muriel. However, Atalanta did not get a goal until the 77th minute when Hojlund put one back and Pasalic made it 2-2 with two minute to the end of regular minutes.
Not the best of games for the Nigeria international Lookman who had a total of two shots with a yellow card to his name.
Meanwhile Caleb Okoli was an unused substitute in the encounter.
Dare Ogun