Atalanta begin new Champions League era with great Arsenal draw

The Nerazzurri's 2024/25 UEFA Champions League campaign began with a stalemate: the game against Arsenal ended in a goalless draw in front of a packed Gewiss Stadium, with Champions League atmosphere throughout.

Champions League atmosphere at the Gewiss Stadium. The first half proved itself a hotly-contested and levelled display, with both sides waging an all-out scramble for 45 minutes. On 13 minutes Carnesecchi defused Saka's treacherous free-kick attempt before besting himself to deny Partey's tap-in finish. Leading the black-and-blue retaliation, De Ketelaere missed the target by inches as his left-footed drive on 30 minutes flew over the crossbar.

The hosts had the chance to break the deadlock right after the game's resumption when Éderson dribbled his way past Thomas Partey, forcing the Gunners player to tackle the Brazilian mid in the box. With Atalanta being awarded the penalty, also confirmed via VAR, Raya first smothered Retegui's spot-kick before deflecting the number 32's headed follow-up. Atalanta threatened again in the 67th minute when Cuadrado's effort after a mazy run went inches over from the edge of the box. Cuadrado had a close brush with the goal in the 74th minute when his curler skimmed the post. The English outfit then responded through Martinelli, who fired over from a good position.

ATALANTA 0-0 ARSENAL

Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Djimsiti, Hien, Kolašinac, Zappacosta (Bellanova 70), de Roon, Éderson, Ruggeri (Pašalić 89), De Ketelaere (Cuadrado 61), Retegui (Zaniolo 70), Lookman (Samardžić 89). Unused bench: Rui Patrício, Rossi, Kossounou, Palestra, Brescianini, Vlahović, Del Lungo. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber (Calafiori 73), Rice, Partey (Jorginho 58), Havertz, Saka (Sterling 73), Gabriel Jesus (Trossard 58), Martinelli. Unused bench: Neto, Porter, Kiwior, Butler-Oyedeji, Gower, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Oulad M'Hand. Coach: Mikel Arteta.

Referee: Clément Turpin (FRA);
Assistant referees: Nicolas Danos (FRA) and Benjamin Pages (FRA).
Fourth official: Stéphanie Frappart (FRA);
V.A.R.: Jérôme Brisard (FRA);
A.V.A.R.: Willy Delajod (FRA).

Notes: On 51 minutes Raya (AR) parried Retegui (AT)'s attempt from the spot, Éderson (AT) booked.