GELSENKIRCHEN – Atalanta emerged victorious from their second international test match at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, in front of 55,000 spectators who had gathered to celebrate Schalke 04's return to the Bundesliga after three years in the German second division. The 3-0 win, secured in the first half by goals from Scamacca and Samardzic, capped by a late Nikola Krstovic goal, confirmed the progress of Sarri's 4-3-3 formation. Atalanta fielded Charles De Ketelaere for the first time in an attacking trio alongside Scamacca and Raspadori. Ahead of Carnesecchi, Kossounou and Scalvini played as central defenders, Bellanova and Ahanor as wingers, and Gaetano was the pivotal midfielder, flanked by Samardzic and Ederson. Daniel Maldini and Berat Djimsiti, destined for transfers to Cagliari and Saudi Arabia respectively, were not among the squad, as was Mitchel Bakker, who is also on his way out. Former German player Robin Gosens and Dzeko are unavailable.
In the first 45 minutes, Atalanta were more proactive and well-balanced, creating interplay and opening up the play by playing vertically, covering their penalty area well, and thwarting the hosts' attempts to inject intensity into their play with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Gaetano fully embraced his role at the fulcrum of midfield, providing the assist for Scamacca's opener. Pace and quality also came from midfielders Ederson and Samardzic, who scored from open play. Sarri's team impressed with their composure and consistency. In the second half, with only Scalvini remaining among the outfield players until the 90th minute, when he was replaced by Obric for a matter of seconds, Atalanta had to adjust their formation, dampening the hosts' pressure and ultimately rounding out the scoreline with a late run from Cassa.
The match opened after eight minutes with Scalvini's header, following a Samardzic corner, hitting the top corner. Schalke 04 also had a chance in the 12th minute, with Karaman also heading the ball over the crossbar. Atalanta took the lead on the half-hour mark through Scamacca, who collected a low pass from Gaetano in the box and fired a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Karius. In the 39th minute, Atalanta went from a possible 1-1 to 2-0 after a move that began with a corner for Schalke 04 and a Karaman header that hit the crossbar. On the Germans' attempted rebound, the ball fell to Samardzic, who raced alone toward the opponents' box, rounded Karius, and placed the ball into the net. At the start of the second half, Sarri made a change in the full-backs, bringing on Zappacosta and Bernasconi, swapping Samardizc, De Ketelaere, and Scamacca for Kamaldeen Sulemana, Pasalic, and Krstovic. Schalke 04 began to feel the pressure, while Kamaldeen Sulemana played for nine minutes, forced off with an injury (a sprained left knee) and replaced by Zalewski. In the 16th minute, Kolasinac, de Roon, and Ibrahim Sulemana replaced Kossounou, Gaetano, and Ederson. With these changes, the attacking trident consisted of Zalewski, Krstovic, and Raspadori. In the 19th minute, Carnesecchi came out to block Adamu's close-range shot. In the 25th minute, Sarri completed the attacking rotations with Cassa replacing Raspadori. In the 34th minute, Giorgio Scalvini was shown a yellow card. Three minutes later, defender Kurucay headed the ball just wide. Schalke 04's last attempt was a goal by Krstovic, who relentlessly dribbled past a defender.
SCHALKE 04-ATALANTA 0-3
Networks: 30′ Scamacca (A), 39′ Samardžić (A), 87′ Krstović (A).
Schalke 04: Karius, T. Becker (72′ Katic), Ayhan, Kurucay, Dina Ebimbe (46′ Ljubicic), El-Faouzi, Tanaka (72′ Schallenberg), V. Becker (78′ Vozar), Karaman (62′ Sylla), Aouchiche, Adamu (80′ Gomis). Subs: Muller, Leonard, Bachmann, Porath, Rosner. Coach: Miron Muslic.
Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Bellanova (46′ Zappacosta), Kossounou (62′ Kolašinac), Scalvini (90′ Obrić), Ahanor (46′ Bernasconi), Samardžić (46′ Pašalić), Gaetano (62′ de Roon), Éderson (62′ I. Sulemana), De Ketelaere (46′ K. Sulemana, 56′ Zalewski), Scamacca (46′ Krstović), Raspadori (71′ Cassa). Subs: Sportiello, Vismara, Idele, Plaia. Coach: Maurizio Sarri.
Referee: Sören Storks (assistants Thorben Siewer and Christian Bandurski).
Note: Zalewski (A), Scalvini (A) booked.
