BERGAMO – In the match for the 2026 Bortolotti Trophy, Sarri was looking for confirmation after his strong performance in Gelsenkirchen, but he had to wait until the start of the second half to see his team break the deadlock and consistently build forward play. This was after a first half in which the attacking side lacked and the build-up play seemed too slow to create any opportunities. The match was decided by Zalewski's goal thirty seconds into the second half. In the second half, Atalanta, even considering their rotations, were more successful in implementing their coach's ideas, moving the ball faster and playing deeper. Athletic Club, a strong team they faced in the Champions League last season, appeared better-oiled and provided a solid test.
Six days before their Conference League debut, Atalanta are testing their tactics and fitness against Athletic Club Bilbao in the 27th Bortolotti Trophy, which draws 15,000 spectators. This is the first competitive outing at the New Balance Arena for Maurizio Sarri's team, who are without Kamaldeen Sulemana at the start of the season and without De Ketelaere and Ahanor, both of whom are dealing with low-grade adductor strains. These issues aren't a concern, but they require rest. The 25-man squad includes new signing Thomas Kristensen, a central defender acquired from Udinese, and five youngsters who were already included during the pre-season: defenders Obric and Plaia, midfielder Alberto Manzoni, attacking midfielder Federico Cassa, and fourth-choice goalkeeper Mattia Sonzogni. Atalanta will take the field with Kossounou and Scalvini as central defenders, Bellanova and Bernasconi as wingers, Gaetano at the top of the midfield flanked by Samardzic and Ederson, and an attacking trio of Zalewski, Scamacca, and Raspadori.
The game played out primarily in tight spaces, with the Spanish side maintaining a high center of gravity and preventing Atalanta from attacking the depth and creating space in the final twenty meters. The ball circulation didn't work out for Sarri's team, with Gaetano often cut out of the play. Scamacca, practically isolated and tagged by Paredes, attempted a lopsided shot after more than half an hour, while the first shot on target came in the 39th minute when Zalewski fired a low ball wide. Faced with a stalemate, Gaetano had a go two minutes later, firing a shot from 25 meters away, not far from the target. Upon rejoining the pitch, Atalanta returned to the pitch with a much improved spirit, and in just thirty seconds, following a quick move, Zalewski beat goalkeeper Unai Simon (a World Cup winner with Spain) against his own post with a left-footed shot from the right edge of the box. In the 7th minute, Bernasconi made another opportunity with a run down the left flank and an assist in the center of the box for Zalewski, who was beaten to the ball by Yuri. A cooling-off period followed after 15 minutes, and the first round of substitutions began. Atalanta featured Krstovic, Bellanova, and Pasalic in place of Scamacca, Bellanova, and Samardzic. Five substitutions were made for the Spanish side. In the 25th minute, Athletic Club came close to equalizing when Dialò failed to deflect a cross-shot that went wide of the post. With the move over, Ibrahim Sulemana, de Roon, and Kolasinac came on for Ederson, Gaetano, and Bernasconi. In the 32nd minute, Krstovic attempted a lob from a tight angle, but his aim was too high. In the 34th minute, Raspadori, who had been on fire in the second half, was forced to make way for Cassa. Two minutes later, Carnesecchi watched Canales's shot whistle over the crossbar. Then came the awards ceremony, with Giorgio Scalvini receiving the ’Mario Bresciani’ award for best player, and Unai Simon receiving the ’Valter Polini’ award for fair play.
After the match, Sarri judged the game to be well-organized and played at a decent level. "We still have to make progress ahead of the first competitive match. I'm coaching a group that is very hard-working and has a strong connection to the team. We know the transition will be long and difficult. We need to speed up our moves and be more fluid. In the first half, we moved the ball a lot horizontally and weren't able to set up Gaetano. We played well in the first 20 minutes of the second half. The goal is to build the most solid team possible. Let's keep in mind that the season of change comes in the year of the World Cup," emphasized the coach, who is hoping for De Ketelaere and Ahanor to recover ahead of the first leg of the Conference League. Speaking of Kristensen ("he can become a strong player in a back four"), Sarri admits he expects more from Raspadori, but above all, he repeatedly reiterates that he is not following the transfer market's forecasts and is focusing, as always, solely on preparing the squad at his disposal.
ATALANTA-ATHLETIC CLUB 1-0
ATALANTA (4-3-3): Carnesecchi, Bellanova (Zappacosta, 6' st), Kossounou, Scalvini, Bernasconi (Kolasinac, 7' st), Samardzic (Pasalic, 7' st), Gaetano (de Roon, 7' st), Ederson (Ibrahim Sulemana, 7' st), Zalewski, Scamacca (Krstovic, 7' st), Raspadori (Cassa, 8' st). Subs: Sportiello, Vismara, Sonzogni, Kristensen, Obric, Manzoni, Plaia. Coach: Sarri
ATHLETIC CLUB BILBAO (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon, Paredes, Yeray, Berenguer (15' st Navarro), Oihan Sancet (15' st Canales), Inaki Williams (15' st Dialò), Areso (34' st Johaneko), Ruiz de Galarreta (15' st Jauregizar), Yuri Berchiche (15' st Adama), Maroan, Gere (25' st Prados. Available: Padilla, Serrano, Rego, Rincon, Monreal. Coach: Terzic.
Referee: Abdoulaye Diop. 6 Assistants: Martone and Manzini. 4th official: Aloise.
Goalscorers: st 1' Zalewski
Ammonites: none
Recovery: 0, 2
