Atalanta Make It Count in Germany: 3-0 Over Schalke 04

In their second international friendly of pre-season, Atalanta claimed a 3-0 victory over Schalke 04 at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, thanks to goals from Scamacca, Samardžić and Krstović.

The Nerazzurri came close to taking the lead after eight minutes when Scalvini's header from a corner crashed against the post. Schalke responded on 12 minutes with Karaman heading over the bar, before Adamu fired wide nine minutes later. At the half-hour mark, Atalanta broke the deadlock: a superb through ball from Gaetano picked out Scamacca's run, and the striker slotted a precise low finish beyond Karius to make it 1-0. The Nerazzurri doubled their lead in the 39th minute. After Karaman's header struck the post at one end, Samardžić won possession on the edge of Atalanta's penalty area and surged the length of the pitch on a devastating counter-attack before coolly rounding both a defender and Karius to roll the ball into the empty net for 2-0. Schalke threatened again on 42 minutes through Aouchiche, whose effort from the edge of the area drifted just wide.

After the restart, Raspadori curled an effort just wide before Schalke 04 began to threaten, testing Carnesecchi with a couple of long-range efforts that caused little concern. Adamu then proved more dangerous, seeing a header saved, a shot blocked by the Nerazzurri defence and another effort fly over the bar. The Schalke forward threatened again in the 64th minute, but Carnesecchi was quick off his line to deny him. Kurucay then failed to hit the target with a header in the 82nd minute.

At the other end, Atalanta sealed the result late on. Cassa's through ball released Krstović, who skipped past his marker with a sharp piece of skill before rifling a low finish across goal to make it 3-0. The scoreline remained unchanged until the final whistle, with Carnesecchi producing one last crucial save to deny Ljubičić in the 90th minute.

The Nerazzurri will now enjoy a day off before returning to training on Monday 10 August, when they will hold an afternoon behind-closed-doors session at the Centro Bortolotti in Zingonia.

MEDICAL UPDATE, KAMALDEEN SULEMANA

Finally, an update on Kamaldeen Sulemana, who was forced off just minutes after coming on with a sprained left knee: he will undergo further medical examinations over the coming days.

SCHALKE 04 0-3 ATALANTA

Scorers: Scamacca 30, Samardžić 39, Krstović 87

Schalke 04: Karius; T. Becker (Katić 72), Ayhan, Kurucay, Dina Ebimbe (Ljubičić 46); El-Faouzi, Tanaka (Schallenberg 72); V. Becker (Vozar 78), Karaman (Sylla 62), Aouchiche; Adamu (Gomis 80). Unused bench: Müller, Leonard, Bachmann, Porath, Rosner. Coach: Miron Muslić.

Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Bellanova (Zappacosta 46), Kossounou (Kolašinac 62), Scalvini (Obrić 90), Ahanor (Bernasconi 46); Samardžić (Pašalić 46), Gaetano (De Roon 62), Éderson (I. Sulemana 62); De Ketelaere (K. Sulemana 46, Zalewski 56), Scamacca (Krstović 46), Raspadori (Cassa 70). Unused bench: Sportiello, Vismara, Idele, Plaia. Coach: Maurizio Sarri.

Referee: Sören Storks (GER)
Assistant Referees: Thorben Siewer (GER) and Christian Bandurski (GER)

Notes: Zalewski (A), Scalvini (A) booked