By Martin Graham
When last season’s finalists, Inter Milan, were eliminated by Bodo/Glimt, Italian football found itself staring at an unprecedented scenario. With Atalanta two goals behind in their tie and Juventus trailing heavily after their first leg, the prospect of no Serie A side reaching the Champions League last 16 for the first time since 1987-88 suddenly felt very real.
Juventus mounted a spirited response against Galatasaray but ultimately fell short. That left Atalanta carrying the responsibility of preserving Italy’s presence in the competition’s knockout phase — a stage that has always featured at least one Italian club since the current last-16 format was introduced in 2003-04.
The last time Serie A had no representative at this stage was in 1987-88, when Napoli were knocked out of the European Cup in the opening round by Real Madrid. Following Inter’s exit, leading voices in Italian football described the situation as deeply troubling. Journalist Vincenzo Credendino labelled it a grim chapter, while Daniele Verri warned that a clean sweep of eliminations would have amounted to a full-scale collapse for the country’s clubs.
Atalanta’s turnaround therefore carried weight beyond their own ambitions. By overturning a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Borussia Dortmund, they not only advanced but also prevented a historic low point for Italian football.
Belief and resilience define the night
Facing Dortmund, Atalanta required something extraordinary. They delivered, scoring three times within 57 minutes to flip the tie on its head. Even when Karim Adeyemi’s strike appeared to push the contest towards extra time, the Italian side held their nerve and converted a last-gasp penalty to secure progression.
Defender Davide Zappacosta insisted the squad had been dismissed too quickly beforehand. He said the performance demonstrated the group’s inner strength and refusal to surrender under pressure.
Their achievement has earned widespread admiration. Former defender Curtis Davies described them as the current favourites 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 over recent years.
Journalist Nicky Bandini emphasised the broader emotional impact of the result. Unlike Juventus or Inter, Atalanta are not traditionally viewed 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 with Inter and Juventus — who between them have claimed 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 the third time, with a quarter-final run on their debut marking their best campaign so far.
Although they lifted the Europa League trophy in 2024, their previous two Champions League participations ended before the knockout rounds. Adding to the challenge against Dortmund was the fact that they had never previously recovered from a two-goal first-leg disadvantage.
Head coach Raffaele Palladino described the evening as unforgettable and the fulfilment of a dream. He praised the commitment, bravery and character shown by his players, highlighting that they performed in a manner true to their identity.
Captain Marten de Roon echoed that sentiment, explaining that a flawless display had been required. According to him, the team absorbed pressure when necessary, attacked decisively at the right moments, and ultimately earned a result that reflected their effort.
