2026/27 Pre-Season: Samardžić screamer in 1-1 Draw with Mantova
Honour even in the Nerazzurri's second pre-season friendly
At the Centro Bortolotti in Zingonia, Atalanta played their second friendly of the 2026/27 pre-season, drawing 1-1 with Mantova. Samardžić was on target in the first half.
Before kick-off, a minute's silence was observed in memory of Amerigo Sarri, father of Head Coach Maurizio Sarri.
Atalanta took the lead through Samardžić, who curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner via the underside of the crossbar. The Serbian went close again in the 38th minute, forcing Bardi into a diving save, while a minute later Obrić headed Bernasconi's free-kick just wide. At the other end, Carnesecchi reacted well on 42 minutes to deny Bragantini after his well-timed run into the box.
Mantova levelled nine minutes into the second half through Cajazzo. Moments later, Sportiello produced an excellent save to tip Wiesers close-range effort behind for a corner. Maldini also threatened in the 80th minute, but Gemello was equal to his strike as Atalantas second pre-season friendly ended in a 1-1 draw at the Centro Bortolotti.
Earlier in the afternoon, Hien returned to Zingonia to begin his rehabilitation programme. The Nerazzurri will continue their pre-season preparations on Thursday 23 July with a morning training session behind closed doors at the Centro Bortolotti.
ATALANTA 1-1 MANTOVA
Scorers: Samardžić 15 (A), Cajazzo 54 (M)
Atalanta: Carnesecchi (Sportiello 46, Sonzogni 74), Bellanova (Zappacosta 46), Scalvini (Plaia 60), Obric (Puljic 46), Bernasconi (Ahanor 46), Samardzic (Steffanoni 46, Manzoni 82), Gaetano (Levak 46), Zalewski (I. Sulemana 60), Cassa (Vavassori 46), Krstovic (Scamacca 46), Raspadori (Maldini 46). Unused Bench: Vismara, Bakker, El Bilal. Coach: Maurizio Sarri.
Mantova: Bardi (Gemello 46), Tomasevic (Maggioni 79), Cella, Castellini, Maggioni (Silva Pertinhes 46), Trimboli (Chinetti 79), Ignacchiti (Keita 64), Benaissa (Vesentini 46), Bragantini (Bayou 46), Chinetti (Cajazzo 46), Gliozzi (Wieser 46). Unused Bench: Bencini, Banna, Marai. Coach: Francesco Modesto.
Referee: Mansour Faye from Brescia (assistant referees: Fabio Cattaneo from Monza and Abibakr Darwish from Milan).
Notes: Tomasevic (M) booked