Atalanta opened their UEFA Conference League league phase campaign with a 3-1 victory over Pafos, led by manager Maurizio Sarri’s new 4-2-3-1 tactical setup. Elmas scored after just 44 seconds to break the deadlock, Giacomo Raspadori added a penalty before sustaining an injury, and Gianluca Scamacca sealed the result in the 44th minute.
Elmas Sets Record as Seven Changes Fail to Disrupt Atalanta
Despite making seven changes to his starting lineup following a prior win against Venezia, Sarri watched his rotated side take the lead almost immediately. Just 44 seconds into the match, Elmas finished from the center of the area off a cutback from Raspadori, following a dummy run by Scamacca. The strike ranks as the fastest goal in the history of the Bergamo club in UEFA competitions.
Pafos responded in the 13th minute when Pepe sent an effort high from the team’s first corner kick. Even as the Italian side dropped deeper into their own half, counter-attacking spaces materialized. Raspadori and Kristensen both tested the defense around the quarter-hour mark, leading to a defensive deflection off Mmaee from a shot near the edge of the box.
Raspadori Scores From the Spot Before Injury Forces Substitution
Referee decisions soon altered the match trajectory. A foul by Bruno on Zalewski inside the area resulted in a penalty kick in the 18th minute. Raspadori stepped up and sent goalkeeper Majecki the wrong way with a feint, doubling the lead to 2-0.
#Atalanta vs. #Pafos line-ups:Atalanta have an all-attack approach to their Conference League opener with David Luiz’s Pafos, starting Gianluca Scamacca, Giacomo Raspadori and Eljif Elmas together#AtalantaPafos #UECL pic.twitter.com/0JqrWzuJo7
The conversion carried an unintended cost for the hosts. Raspadori felt pain in his kicking foot during the sequence, ruining Sarri’s plans to rest Charles De Ketelaere ahead of an upcoming fixture against Milan. De Ketelaere entered the match to replace the injured Italian forward.
Pafos struggled to capitalize on their attacking openings before halftime. In the 24th minute, an invitation from Biel on the left found Lelè, whose shot missed the target. Scamacca later tested Majecki with a hard right-footed drive past the half-hour mark, while David Luiz exited due to injury, making way for Sema.
Scamacca Capitalizes on De Ketelaere Assist Before Halftime
As the first half drew to a close, Pafos registered their first attempts on target through a direct free-kick by Dragomir and a close-range drive from Biel following the subsequent corner. Goalkeeper Carnesecchi handled both efforts comfortably.
Atalanta punished the visitors right before the interval. In the 44th minute, De Ketelaere slipped a pass through the defensive line to release Scamacca on the edge of the offside trap. The forward converted cleanly to stretch the lead to 3-0.
Late Pafos Response Narrows the Deficit in the Second Half
The second half began with Zalewski forcing Majecki into a difficult save toward the top corner. Although the Bergamo side controlled large stretches, they failed to maximize their set-piece opportunities. Carnesecchi was forced into action in the 28th minute to block a long-range strike from the new entrato Anderson, preventing a tap-in from Biel.
Sarri utilized his bench further by handing a senior debut to 2007-born youth product Javison Idele, who replaced central defender Kristensen. Shortly after, Pafos found their consolation goal. A delivery from the right flank allowed Anderson to chest the ball down into the path of Biel, who swept a right-footed shot into the far corner with two minutes remaining in regulation.
Match Statistics at the Final Whistle
- Final Score: Atalanta 3, Pafos 1
- Goals: Elmas (1′), Raspadori (18′ pen), Scamacca (44′) for Atalanta; Biel (88′) for Pafos.
- Fastest Goal: Elmas, 44 seconds (club record in UEFA competitions).
- Key Injuries: Giacomo Raspadori (foot), David Luiz (substitution required).
Unresolved Questions Surrounding Squad Fitness
With the European fixture successfully navigated, questions remain regarding the severity of Giacomo Raspadori’s foot injury and whether David Luiz will face an extended recovery period following his first-half withdrawal. Sarri must also manage player fatigue and squad depth ahead of Atalanta’s upcoming domestic league commitments.
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