Samardžić and Pašalić flip the script on Club Brugge
2-1 win in the Nerazzurri's first night at the New Balance Arena
With a heart-pounding one-two courtesy of the Samardžić-Pašalić duo, Atalanta staged a late comeback and stunned Club Brugge 2-1 in the closing fifteen minutes of the game securing their first win in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League MD2. As the New Balance Arena took its much-anticipated very first bow on Europe's brightest stage, coach Jurić's Nerazzurri came from behind and vanquished the Belgian side in thrilling fashion.
In a quick rally in the first 15 minutes, Bernasconi and then Zolis both tested the waters from range. A quick barrage of chances ensued, with Atalanta mounting up the pressure but failing to find the right opening. The visitors then drew first blood in the 38th with Tzolis sending the ball into the top corner with a ranged curler from the edge of the box.
While the second half opened with an early threat from Tzolis punched away by Carnesecchi, Atalanta pushed for the equalizer with Lookman - whose shot grazed the far post after picking up a deflection-, Ahanor (nodding the ball wide of target in the follow-up corner) and then Zappacosta's angled shot to the side leading the charge. Lookman then threatened once again as his cross rebounded off a Brugge defender and turned into a shot on target before being blocked by the opposing keeper. On 72 minutes Musah broke free and drew a last-ditch save from Jackers, who gloved the ball away, but not far enough to prevent Pašalić's pounce, with the opposing keeper bringing down the Croatian in the box in his bid for a second clearance. With the referee pointing at the spot, Samardžić stepped up and coolly converted to level the scores in Bergamo in the 74th. After a scare as Vermant came close to restoring Brugge's lead right after the equalizer, Atalanta battened down the hatches and responded in the 79th with Kamaldeen, whose curler was inches wide. And it was in the 87th minute that Pašalić turned the game around, giving Atalanta the lead by heading in Musah's cross following Samardžić's corner, sending the New Balance Arena into a frenzy. It was the goal that sealed the win and delivered Atalanta's first European three-pointer of the season.
ATALANTA 2-1 CLUB BRUGGE
Scorers: Tzolis 38 (CB), Samardžić pen 74 (A), Pašalić 87 (A).
Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Kossounou (Musah 53), Djimsiti, Ahanor, Bellanova (Zappacosta 46), De Roon, Éderson (Samardžić 61), Bernasconi, Pašalić, Krstović (Brescianini 88), Lookman (Kamaldeen 61). Unused Bench: Rossi, Sportiello, Obrić, Maldini. Coach: Ivan Jurić.
Club Brugge: Jackers, Sabbe (Meijer 89), Ordonez (Romero 89), Mechele, Seys, Sandra (Campbell 89), Stankovic, Vanaken, Carlos Forbs (Vetlesen 75), Tresoldi (Vermant 64), Tzolis. Unused Bench: Van den Heuvel, Reis, Nilsson, Osuji, Siquet, Audoor, Diakhon. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Referee: Espen Eskås (NOR);
Assistant referees: Jan Erik Engan (NOR) and Isaak Elias Bashevkin (NOR);
Fourth official: Rohit Saggi (NOR);
V.A.R.: Bastian Dankert (GER);
A.V.A.R.: Sören Storks (GER).
Notes: Musah (A) and De Roon (A) booked.