Result Atalanta 2 - 3 Athletic Club Bilbao, Wednesday 21 January 2026

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A complete letdown for Atalanta as they lost the UEFA Champions League Matchday 7 on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo, Italy. The victors, Athletic Club Bilbao, secured three vital points, moving up to 23rd place with 8 points, and they now have a chance to qualify in the final round, which will take place at their home ground.

This defeat feels like a harsh blow. Atalanta, who had been leading at halftime and were only behind Arsenal and Bayern Munich in the standings, found themselves equalized and dropped out of the direct qualification zone for the round of 16, landing in the playoff zone instead.

Atalanta was in control during the first half, taking the lead after just 16 minutes with a powerful header from Gianluca Scamacca, set up by Zalewski. They also had a goal ruled out for offside (another from Scamacca, with De Ketelaere providing the assist) and struck the post with a header from the Belgian player.



 

However, the second half saw a complete turnaround in just 16 minutes. That was all it took for Athletic to score their first and third goals. They equalized in the 58th minute with a right-footed shot from Guruzeta at the near post.

Athletic then took the lead in the 70th minute with a left-footed volley from substitute Serrano, again assisted by Navarro. The winger followed up by netting the third goal in the 74th minute with a right-footed shot that found the far post.

After bringing on Krstovic and Lookman, Palladino also added Samardzic and Sulemana to the mix, and Atalanta managed to score their second goal in the 88th minute through the former Lecce player, who was assisted by Lookman.

 

The New Balance Arena is set for Atalanta vs Athletic Club Bilbao

 

Atalanta official starting lineup against Athletic Club Bilbao

Photo via x.com/Atalanta_BC

 



 


Credit via x.com/Atalanta_BC
 

 


Photo via x.com/Atalanta_BC
 

2025-26 UEFA Champions League, League Phase
Matchday 7

Atalanta 2 - 3 Athletic Club Bilbao
Wednesday 21 January 2026
New Balance Arena
Bergamo, Italy

21:00

Referee: Danny Makkelie NED
Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra NED
Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries NED
Fourth Official: Allard Lindhout NED
Video Assistant Referee: Michael Salisbury ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Andrew Dallas SCO
UEFA Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas SCO
UEFA Delegate: Tibor Vámos HUN

⚽️   Goals: 16' Gianluca Scamacca (ATA), 58' Gorka Guruzeta (ATH), 70' Nico Serrano (ATH), 74' Robert Navarro (ATH), 88' Nikola Krstović (ATA)

🟨   Yellow Cards: 22' Dani Vivian (Ath), 54' Mikel Jauregizar (Ath), 95' Marco Carnesecchi (Ata)

 

✅ Official Lineups - Formations - Tabellino:

Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Kossounou, Djimsiti, Kolašinac (76' Ahanor), Zappacosta (76' Samardžić), de Roon, Éderson, Bernasconi (83' Kamaldeen), De Ketelaere, Zalewski (66' Lookman), Scamacca (66' Krstović).

Subs: Rossi, Sportiello, Hien, Musah, Pašalić, Scalvini, Maldini.

Coach:  Raffaele Palladino.

Athletic Club: Unai Simón, Inigo Lekue, Vivian, Paredes, Adama Boiro (46' Sancet), Jauregizar (59' Vesga), Alejandro Rego (59' Ruiz de Galarreta), Gorosabel (81' Jesus Areso), Unai Gomez (68' Serrano), Navarro, Guruzeta.

Subs: Mikel Santos, Padilla, Hierro, De Luis, Ibon Sanchez, Selton Sanchez.

Coach: Ernesto Valverde.



Click the video to watch Atalanta 2 - 3 Athletic Club Bilbao on Wednesday 21 January 2026