Milan – Italy’s presence in the UEFA Champions League is dwindling rapidly. With Inter Milan’s elimination on Wednesday, the pressure falls squarely on Juventus and Atalanta to avoid further embarrassment for Italian football as they enter crucial second-leg playoff matches this week.
Inter Milan suffered a 2-1 defeat against Bodø/Glimt at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, completing a 5-2 aggregate loss. Alessandro Bastoni scored for Inter, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Norwegian side. The result marks a disappointing complete to Inter’s Champions League journey this season.
Now, all eyes turn to Juventus and Atalanta, both facing significant uphill battles in their respective playoff ties. The stakes are high as they attempt to secure a place in the Round of 16 and restore some pride to Italian football after Napoli’s earlier group stage exit.
Juventus Face Mountain to Climb Against Galatasaray
Juventus trails Galatasaray 5-2 heading into the second leg at Allianz Stadium on Thursday. To advance directly to the Round of 16, the Bianconeri need a monumental victory by a margin of four goals – a 4-0 win would be sufficient. This represents a daunting task against a well-organized Turkish side.
The pressure is immense on Massimiliano Allegri’s squad. A failure to overturn the deficit would not only eliminate Juventus from the Champions League but also raise serious questions about their ability to compete at the highest level of European football. The team will need a near-perfect performance, coupled with some luck, to achieve the required result.
Atalanta’s Uphill Battle Against Borussia Dortmund
Atalanta also faces a challenging task as they host Borussia Dortmund at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia. La Dea lost the first leg due to goals from Serhou Guirassy and Maximilian Beier. To progress, Atalanta must win by a margin of three goals without conceding.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side is known for its attacking prowess, but they will need to tighten their defense and demonstrate clinical finishing to overcome the German outfit. The atmosphere at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia is expected to be electric, providing a potential boost for the home team.
Bastoni’s Apology and the Shadow Over Inter’s Exit
Inter Milan’s Champions League exit has been further clouded by controversy surrounding Alessandro Bastoni’s conduct during the first leg against Juventus in Serie A on February 14th. Bastoni apologized for exaggerating a fall in an attempt to draw a foul, which led to a red card for Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu. The incident sparked outrage from Juventus officials, who labeled the referee’s decision “unacceptable” and “embarrassing.”
Bastoni acknowledged his mistake, stating he was caught up in the heat of the moment and regretted his reaction. “I exaggerated the fall once I felt contact with Kalulu to try and win a foul, but I have to apologise for my reaction afterwards as it wasn’t nice to see, even if it was remarkably human,” Bastoni said, according to ESPN. While the incident doesn’t directly impact the Champions League outcome, it adds another layer of disappointment to Inter’s season.
The fallout from the incident has also led to calls for Bastoni to be dropped from the Italy national team, highlighting the scrutiny faced by players in high-profile matches.
A Season of Disappointment for Italian Clubs
The potential elimination of both Juventus and Atalanta would mark a disappointing Champions League campaign for Italian clubs. Napoli’s early exit in the group stage further underscored the challenges faced by Serie A teams in competing with the elite clubs from England, Spain, and Germany.
This season’s performance raises questions about the overall competitiveness of Italian football and the need for investment and development to bridge the gap with the top European leagues. The upcoming matches for Juventus and Atalanta represent a final opportunity to salvage some pride and demonstrate the quality of Italian football on the continental stage.
For context, Alessandro Bastoni, born April 13, 1999, is a key player for both Inter Milan and the Italian national team. He has played over 200 matches for Inter Milan and has 41 caps for Italy as of November 16, 2025, according to Wikipedia. His recent actions, however, have drawn criticism, adding to the pressure on Italian clubs in Europe.
The upcoming matches will be crucial not only for the clubs involved but also for the reputation of Italian football as a whole. Can Juventus or Atalanta pull off a remarkable comeback and preserve Italy’s Champions League hopes alive?
Next up, Juventus will host Galatasaray on Thursday, February 26th, at Allianz Stadium (8:00 PM CET / 2:00 PM EST). Atalanta will simultaneously face Borussia Dortmund at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia (8:00 PM CET / 2:00 PM EST). Follow Archysport for live updates and comprehensive coverage of these pivotal matches.
