Scamacca’s opener gives way to a disastrous 17-minute spell as Navarro inspires a dramatic Athletic turnaround, sending Atalanta tumbling in the standings.
Atalanta let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers in the Champions League, collapsing to a painful 3-2 home defeat against Athletic Bilbao after a dominant first half. La Dea looked firmly in control after taking the lead, but a shocking second-half blackout allowed the injury-hit Basques to stage a stunning comeback and leave Bergamo with all three points.
Raffaele Palladino’s side started brightly and were rewarded in the 16th minute. Zalewski delivered a perfect cross from the left, and Gianluca Scamacca rose above the defense to head Atalanta into a deserved lead. From there, the hosts played with confidence and fluidity, repeatedly stretching Athletic’s back line.
Zalewski was a constant menace, drawing fouls and creating space, while De Ketelaere sliced through the defense and came close to doubling the lead with a header that struck the post. Athletic Bilbao offered little in response before the break, focusing mainly on damage control. Atalanta, however, failed to kill the game—an omission that proved costly.
The match turned abruptly in the 58th minute. Navarro split the defense with a precise pass, releasing Guruzeta, who beat Djimsiti and calmly finished for the equalizer. The goal sent shockwaves through Atalanta, who completely lost their structure and composure.
What followed was a devastating 17-minute stretch. Navarro took full control of the match, first providing the assist for Serrano’s goal to make it 2-1, then scoring himself in the 74th minute to complete the comeback. From cruising comfortably, Atalanta suddenly found themselves staring at a 3-1 deficit.
Palladino reacted with substitutions, and the changes briefly reignited hope. Samardzic crossed into the box, Lookman flicked the ball on, and Krstovic finished to make it 3-2 late on. Despite a final push, Atalanta were unable to find the equalizer.
The defeat was as damaging as it was dramatic. At halftime, Atalanta were virtually third in the overall Champions League standings; within 18 minutes of the second half, they had dropped to 13th place. Direct qualification for the Round of 16 is now out of reach, and everything will be decided in the final away match in Brussels against Union Saint-Gilloise.
Match Report
Atalanta 2-3 Athletic Bilbao
Goals:
16’ Scamacca (Atalanta)
58’ Guruzeta (Athletic Bilbao)
70’ Serrano (Athletic Bilbao)
74’ Navarro (Athletic Bilbao)
88’ Krstovic (Atalanta)
Atalanta (3-4-2-1):
Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Djimsiti, Kolasinac (Ahanor 76’); Zappacosta (Samardzic 76’), De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi (Sulemana 82’); De Ketelaere, Zalewski (Lookman 66’); Scamacca (Krstovic 66’).
Coach: Palladino
Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1):
Unai Simón; Iñigo Lekue, Vivian, Paredes, Adama Boiro (Sancet 46’); Jauregizar (Vesga 59’), Rego (Ruiz de Galarreta 59’); Gorosabel (Areso 81’), Unai Gómez, Navarro; Guruzeta.
Coach: Valverde
Referee: Makkelie (Netherlands)
Yellow cards: Carnesecchi (Atalanta); Vivian, Jauregizar (Athletic Bilbao)
Red cards: None
