Bologna edge it 1-0, but Atalanta are Europe-bound again

Atalanta will once again play European football in the 2026/27 season. The Nerazzurri will feature in a continental competition for the ninth time in the last ten years. Despite the narrow defeat to Bologna, Atalanta mathematically secured seventh place — enough to qualify for next season’s UEFA Conference League — thanks to their superior head-to-head record following the 2-0 win in the reverse fixture.

The Nerazzurri looked to build patiently, but without finding the decisive breakthrough. Raspadori and Krstović both tried to carve out openings, only for the Bologna defence to hold firm. At the other end, Bernardeschi proved the visitors’ liveliest threat, dragging a left-footed diagonal effort wide in the 32nd minute. Atalanta responded two minutes later through Zalewski, whose curling right-footed strike sailed over the bar. In the 40th minute, Carnesecchi stretched full length to push Rowe’s low effort away from the bottom corner before doubling down seconds away from the break, reacting sharply to keep out Castro’s sudden turn and strike.

The second half remained evenly balanced, with few clear-cut chances for either side. The Nerazzurri threatened through De Ketelaere and Kamaldeen, but without reward. In the 76th minute, Kamaldeen went close again, glancing a header just wide of the post. Two minutes later, however, Bologna took the lead as Orsolini ghosted in at the back post to turn the ball home. The closing stages also saw Bakker make his first appearance of the season, returning to action after a lengthy injury layoff. In the 94th minute, Krstović had a chance to snatch an equaliser, but Skorupski denied the Nerazzurri forward. It ended 1-0 to Bologna, a result that nonetheless secures Atalanta qualification for next season’s UEFA Conference League.

ATALANTA 0-1 BOLOGNA

Scorers: Orsolini 78 (B)

Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Scalvini, Djimsiti, Ahanor, Zappacosta (Kolašinac 88), de Roon (Pašalić 63), Éderson, Zalewski (Musah 63), De Ketelaere (Bakker 80), Krstović, Raspadori (Kamaldeen 63). Unused Bench: Rossi, Sportiello, Scamacca, Samardžić, Bellanova, Obrić, Vavassori. Coach: Raffaele Palladino.

Bologna: Skorupski, Joao Mario, Heggem, Helland, Miranda, Freuler, Ferguson, Pobega (Moro 68), Bernardeschi (Orsolini 68), Castro (Dallinga 68), Rowe (Dominguez 88). Unused Bench: Ravaglia, Pessina, Moro, Tomasevic, Zortea, Odgaard, Lykogiannis, Sohm, De Silvestri, Dominguez. Coach: Vincenzo Italiano.

Referee: Daniele Perenzoni from Rovereto;
Assistant referees: Dario Garzelli from Livorno and Gianluca Grasso from Ariano Irpino;
Fourth official: Andrea Zanotti from Rimini;
V.A.R.: Ivano Pezzuto from Lecce;
A.V.A.R.: Marco Serra from Turin.

Notes: Pobega (B), Pašalić (A) booked