UECL play-offs: first leg ends all square

The first round of the 2026/27 UEFA Conference League play-offs ends all square, with Atalanta and Hapoel Tel Aviv playing out a 0-0 draw in the first leg at the Stadio di Bergamo.

After an evenly contested start, the Nerazzurri began to turn up the pressure, producing their first attempt in the 19th minute as Zalewski pounced on a defensive clearance and fired goalwards, finishing agonizingly wide to the side. In the 24th minute, however, Carnesecchi had to pull off a superb save to deny Boateng from close range. After 26 minutes, the Nerazzurri were forced into a change: Kristensen replaced the injured Scalvini, making his Atalanta debut. In the 36th minute, the Nerazzurri produced a slick move down the left, with Scamacca finishing off the combination with a powerful right-footed effort that Tzur punched behind for a corner. Before the break, another chance fell the Nerazzurri’s way: Bernasconi won the ball back in the final third before Scamacca made a well-timed run and picked out Raspadori, whose first-time effort lacked the angle to trouble the visiting goalkeeper.

The pattern remained unchanged after the restart, with the Nerazzurri pushing for the breakthrough and the visitors looking to threaten on the counter. On the hour mark, Bellanova tested Tzur from a tight angle near the byline, forcing the goalkeeper into a save with his feet. On 66 minutes, freshly introduced Krstović tried his luck with a curling effort from the edge of the box, sending the ball narrowly wide. Krstović threatened again in the 88th minute, the Nerazzurri No. 90 turning well inside the box before firing inches wide of the post. Atalanta piled on the pressure in the closing stages, with Krstović testing Tzur again in the 91st minute before the visiting goalkeeper reacted quickly to keep out Raspadori’s follow-up. There was no way through, though, as the first leg ended goalless. The return fixture will take place in Miskolc, Hungary, in a week’s time.

Tomorrow morning, the team will train behind closed doors at the Centro Bortolotti as preparations begin for their Serie A opener against Sassuolo.

ATALANTA 0-0 HAPOEL TEL-AVIV

Scorers: -

Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Bellanova, Kossounou, Scalvini (Kristensen 26), Bernasconi, Samardžić (Pašalić 78), Gaetano, Éderson, Zalewski (Cassa 78), Scamacca (Krstović 63), Raspadori. Unused Bench: Sportiello, Vismara, I. Sulemana, de Roon, Kolašinac, Obrić, Manzoni, Zappacosta. Coach: Maurizio Sarri.

Hapoel Tel Aviv: Tzur, Coco (Piven 89), Mayembo, Chico, Leidner, Falcao, Kraev, Owusu (Buskila 63), Altman (Silva 63), Alkoukin (Lemkin 89), Boateng. Unused Bench: Benyamini, Baranes, Farber, Kancelpolsky, Archel, Israelov, Dappa. Coach: Elyaniv Barda.

Referee: Javier Alberola Rojas (ESP);
Assistant referees: Alfredo Rodriguez Moreno (ESP) and Carlos Álvarez Fernández (ESP);
Fourth official: Victor Garcia Verdura (ESP);
V.A.R.: Cesar Soto Grado (ESP);
A.V.A.R.: Jorge Figueroa Vázquez (ESP).

Notes: Stoppage time: 3 minutes (1st half), 3 minutes (2nd half). Kraev (H), Raspadori (A), Altman (H) booked.