Éderson marks return with a goal in 3-2 win over Arezzo
Krstović nets the winner, I. Sulemana also on target
In their third pre-season friendly of the 2026/27 campaign, Atalanta came from two goals down to beat Arezzo 3-2 at the Centro Bortolotti in Zingonia. After Ibrahim Sulemana and Éderson levelled the score in the second half, Krstović completed the comeback with the winning goal.
Arezzo made the perfect start, taking the lead after just one minute when Arena curled a superb effort into the far top corner. The visitors doubled their advantage six minutes later as Illanes headed home from a corner. Atalanta's first chance fell to Raspadori, whose right-footed strike from the edge of the area forced Seculin into a save. Around the half-hour mark, a neat one-two between Scamacca and Cassa created another opportunity, but the goalkeeper intercepted the cross intended for Raspadori. Just before the break, Cerri fired narrowly wide on two occasions.
Atalanta reduced the deficit within minutes of the restart thanks to a superb team move. Ahanor's through ball released Krstović, whose clever backheel sent Ibrahim Sulemana through on goal, and the midfielder calmly curled his finish into the far corner. Vavassori then tested the goalkeeper on 58 minutes before Gaetano's long pass found Krstović shortly after the hour, although the striker was denied by the Arezzo defence. The equaliser arrived in the 64th minute as Éderson, back in action after the World Cup, fired into the bottom corner after being picked out by Maldini. Krstović went close moments later, but the Montenegrin striker would not be denied, powering home Maldini's corner with a towering header on 71 minutes to complete the comeback. Maldini almost added a fourth when his effort skimmed the post on 79 minutes, before Krstović forced another save from the visiting goalkeeper. Arezzo threatened in the closing stages through Cianci's header, while Atalanta's No. 90 also came close, but the score remained 3-2 as the Nerazzurri completed a second-half turnaround at the Centro Bortolotti.
Also returning to Zingonia was Pašalić, who rejoined the squad after completing his international duties with Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
ATALANTA 3-2 AREZZO
Scorers: Arena 1 (AR), Illanes 7 (AR), I. Sulemana 49 (AT), Éderson 64 (AT), Krstović 71 (AT).
Atalanta: Carnesecchi (Sportiello 46, Vismara 74), Bellanova (Zappacosta 46), Scalvini (Kossounou 63), Djimsiti (Obrić 63), Bernasconi (Ahanor 46), Samardžić (Éderson 63), Gaetano (De Roon 63), Zalewski (I. Sulemana 41), Cassa (Vavassori 46), Scamacca (Krstović 46), Raspadori (Maldini 63). Unused bench: Sonzogni, Kolašinac, El Bilal, Puljić, Steffanoni, Levak, Manzoni, Plaia. Coach: Maurizio Sarri.
Arezzo: Seculin (Trombini 63), Renzi (Martinez Mena 63), Gilli (De Col 63), Illanes (Casarosa 63), Righetti (Coccia 63), Sala (Mawuli 63), Viviani (Manes 63), Ionita (Varela Djamanca 63), Arena (Cortesi 63), Cerri (Cianci 63), Tavernelli (Chierico 63).Unused bench: Serban, Cipriani, Capello, Ravasio, Sussi. Coach: Cristian Bucchi.
Referee: Alessandro Cisternini from Seregno (assistant referees: Diego Alexander Huete Valdivia from Milan and Mattia Malerba from Cinisello Balsamo).
Notes: Mawuli (AR) booked.