Atalanta – Bologna: Samardžić’s Late Strike Punishes Bologna’s Missed Opportunities (1-0)

Maurizio Sarri’s Atalanta faced a Bologna side beginning a new chapter under Domenico Tedesco. The visitors quickly established greater control through their possession, pressing and attacking combinations, while Atalanta struggled to create consistent opportunities in the final third. Despite Bologna’s territorial dominance and superior chance creation, Sarri’s side remained resilient before Lazar Samardžić struck deep into stoppage time to secure a dramatic 1-0 victory.

Tactical analysis and match report by Mustafa Hassan.

Atalanta began their 2026/27 Serie A campaign under Maurizio Sarri with his 4-3-3 system, providing a balanced structural foundation for their build-up and attacking play. Marco Carnesecchi started in goal behind Davide Zappacosta, Odilon Kossounou, Giorgio Scalvini and Sead Kolašinac, who formed the defensive line. Mario Pašalić, Gianluca Gaetano and Éderson operated as the midfield three, while Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori occupied the wide positions around Gianluca Scamacca, who led the attack.

The structure allowed Atalanta to maintain a back four during the initial phase while using the midfield three to provide central passing options and support progression into the final third. De Ketelaere and Raspadori provided width from the flanks, while Scamacca offered a central reference point against Bologna’s defensive line.

Bologna, meanwhile, lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under new manager Domenico Tedesco. Łukasz Skorupski started between the posts behind Emil Holm, Eivind Helland, Torbjørn Heggem and Rahim Alhassane, who formed the defensive line. Tommaso Pobega and Lewis Ferguson operated as the midfield double pivot, while Federico Bernardeschi, Jens Odgaard and Nicolò Cambiaghi played behind Roberto Piccoli, who was selected as the central striker. Tedesco’s structure . . .