Atalanta’s Conference League campaign has been checked by a troubling defeat in Amsterdam, where Ajax’s greater urgency was eventually rewarded with two late goals. Maurizio Sarri’s side held out for long periods at the Johan Cruijff Arena, but a passive display ended in a 2-0 loss that leaves the Bergamo club searching for a sharper response before Frosinone visit on Sunday.
Key takeaways
- Ajax beat Atalanta 2-0, scoring through Arokodare in the 87th minute and 2009-born substitute Ouazane in stoppage time.
- The result was Atalanta’s fifth defeat in 11 matches this season and their first loss in the Conference League.
- Carnesecchi made several important interventions as Ajax dominated much of the opening hour.
- Atalanta had transition opportunities, including two promising three-against-three situations, but lacked precision in the decisive moments.
- Sarri’s team can still pursue a 13-14 point league-phase target, with Kairat, Borac, Riga and Mjallby still to come.
Ajax set the tempo before finding their finish
The scoreless interval disguised the balance of the first half. Ajax repeatedly reached the Atalanta penalty area, aided by Lucas Rosa’s advanced position on the right and the movement shared by Gloukh and Brandt. Mokio and former Inter midfielder Klaassen also found room to break forward.
Rosa struck the post after six minutes when Gaetano’s deflection altered his effort. Klaassen then headed wide from close range despite being unmarked, while Carnesecchi’s short clearance led to a Mokio goal that was ruled out for offside. The goalkeeper later had to deal with attempts from Gloukh and Mokio as Atalanta struggled to disrupt Ajax’s circulation.
Atalanta’s best route appeared to be the space left behind Rosa, but their counters never gathered enough speed. Ten minutes in, Gaetano sent Ederson through, only for Baas to recover ground and prevent the Brazilian from supplying Scamacca. Gaetano also fired over near the interval after Zappacosta had found him on the edge of the area.
Sarri retained his starting XI for the restart, although Ajax continued to threaten. Brandt and Rosa both went close early in the second half, with Carnesecchi again required to keep his team level. Atalanta did manage to reach dangerous positions on the break, but two attacks with numerical equality in the box faded because of hurried decisions.
The visitors turned to their bench, introducing Samardzic for De Ketelaere on 62 minutes, Krstovic for Scamacca ten minutes later, and Rowe and Pasalic for Elmas and Gaetano in the 80th minute. De Ketelaere had once again found it difficult to impose himself, while Atalanta’s substitutions did not alter the rhythm of the contest.
Ajax’s changes mattered more. Arokodare replaced Marcos Leonardo in the 66th minute, while Ouazane and Tsygankov came on for Gloukh and Klaassen. The home crowd immediately embraced the arrival of Ouazane, and the teenager later provided the final flourish.
Arokodare broke the deadlock three minutes from time. Baas released the Nigerian forward from deep, with Obric unable to contain him, and he ran clear before placing his finish beyond Carnesecchi. In the 93rd minute, Ouazane went past Bellanova and Kristensen before driving a left-footed shot beneath the crossbar to complete Ajax’s victory.
A warning for Sarri before the domestic return
Atalanta had resisted for much of the evening, but their lack of intensity was the central concern. Ajax were not always clean in their play after the break, yet they continued to carry the greater purpose, while the visitors too often allowed the Dutch side to dictate possession and territory.
The defensive absences affecting Sarri’s squad may help explain why the side’s engine has been running slowly, particularly in transition, but they do not remove the wider issue. The display resembled the first 70 minutes of Atalanta’s recent match against Milan rather than the more forceful final spell of that game.
The Conference League table has not been irreparably damaged. With Kairat, Borac, Riga and Mjallby ahead, Atalanta remain well placed to build the total required for progression. Yet the Amsterdam defeat showed that even a manageable schedule offers little protection if the competitive level does not rise.
The focus now returns to Bergamo and Frosinone’s Sunday afternoon visit. After five defeats already this term, Sarri needs a response not merely in result, but in the conviction with which his team approaches the match.
It was the third European meeting between Ajax and Atalanta, following their Champions League group-stage encounters in 2020-21. Those matches brought a 2-2 draw in Bergamo and a 1-0 Atalanta win in Amsterdam; this time, Ajax ensured the balance shifted their way.
