By Martin Graham
When last season’s finalists Inter Milan were knocked out by Bodo/Glimt, Italian football found itself staring at an unprecedented stage. with Atalanta two goals behind in their tie and Juventus trailing heavily after the first leg, the prospect of no Serie A team reaching the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time since 1987-88 felt very real.
Juventus responded strongly against Galatasaray, but ultimately fell short. This left Atalanta with the responsibility of preserving Italy’s presence in the knockout stages of the competition, a stage that has always featured at least one Italian club since the current round of 16 format was introduced in 2003-04.
The last time Serie A did not have a representative at this stage was in 1987-88, when Napoli were knocked out of the European Cup in the first round by Real Madrid. Following Inter’s exit, leading voices in Italian football described the situation as deeply worrying. Journalist Vincenzo Credendino called it a sad chapter, while Daniele Verri warned that a clean sweep would have meant a full-scale collapse for the country’s clubs.
So Atalanta’s turnaround carried weight beyond its own ambitions. By reversing a 2-0 against the first leg Borussia Dortmundthey not only advanced but also avoided a historic low point in Italian football.
Belief and resilience define the night
Against Dortmund, Atalanta needed something extraordinary. They delivered, scoring three times in 57 minutes to turn the tie on its head. Even as Karim Adeyemi’s strike looked set to push the game into extra time, the Italian side held their nerve and converted a last-gasp penalty to secure progression.
Defender Davide Zappacosta insisted the team had been dismissed too quickly earlier. He said the performance showed the group’s inner strength and refusal to give up under pressure.
Its success has won widespread admiration. Former defender Curtis Davies described them as the current favorites of Italian football, while European football specialist James Horncastle compared their rise to that of Bodo/Glimt, noting how dramatically the club’s fortunes have changed in recent years.
Journalist Nicky Bandini highlighted the wider emotional impact of the result. Unlike Juventus or Inter, Atalanta are not traditionally seen as giants of the Italian game, which makes their success resonate more deeply and create a stronger sense of optimism.
From outsiders to standard-bearers
Compared to Inter and Juventus, who between them have won five European Cup or Champions League titles, Atalanta’s European pedigree is modest. They first appeared in the competition in 2019 and have now reached the last 16 for a third time, with a run to the quarter-finals on debut marking their best campaign to date.
Although they lifted the Europa League trophy in 2024, their previous two Champions League appearances ended before the last 16. Adding to the challenge against Dortmund was the fact that they had never recovered from a two-goal deficit in the first leg.
Head coach Raffaele Palladino called the evening unforgettable and a dream come true. He has praised the commitment, courage and character shown by his players, emphasizing that they have acted faithfully to their identity.
Captain Marten de Roon echoed that sentiment, explaining that a flawless display had been required. According to him, the team soaked up pressure when needed, attacked decisively at the right times and ultimately achieved a result that reflected their efforts.
