Atalanta began their Conference League campaign with the authority of a side determined to make Europe part of their season rather than an interruption to it. Maurizio Sarri’s team beat Pafos 3-1 in Bergamo, settling the contest before half-time despite losing Giacomo Raspadori to a muscular problem immediately after his penalty.
The decision
Sarri selected a 4-2-3-1, with Gianluca Scamacca leading the line and Eljif Elmas, Raspadori and Nicola Zalewski operating behind him. The choices paid off almost instantly. After only 47 seconds, Raspadori won the ball high up the pitch, reached the byline and pulled it back into the area. Scamacca left it cleverly for Elmas, whose precise finish beat Pafos goalkeeper Bartłomiej Drągowski Majecki.
Atalanta had established their tempo early and could have doubled the lead in the 16th minute, when Majecki produced an outstanding save to deny Raspadori’s first-time left-footed effort. The second goal arrived a minute later. Zalewski was brought down by Bruno Felipe inside the box, and Raspadori converted from the spot, sending Majecki the wrong way.
There was an immediate concern, however. Raspadori suffered a muscular issue as he struck the penalty and was unable to continue. Charles De Ketelaere came on in his place, with Atalanta already holding a two-goal advantage but having to adjust their attacking line before the match had reached its first half-hour.
Pafos had one major opportunity to alter the evening. Biel led a break down the left and found Lele, who had only Carnesecchi to beat but steered his right-footed attempt wide. Atalanta responded by regaining control. Scamacca was denied by Majecki from distance, while Dragomir’s dangerous free-kick was Pafos’s final notable threat before the interval.
The third goal arrived in the 44th minute and confirmed Atalanta’s superiority. De Ketelaere created the opening, releasing Scamacca in the penalty area, and the striker drove a composed diagonal finish beyond Majecki.
Atalanta continued to seek a fourth after the restart. Zalewski tested Majecki from range, Gaetano curled a free-kick narrowly off target and De Ketelaere missed from close range with a header following an Elmas corner. Scamacca also headed just wide, while De Ketelaere sent another left-footed attempt over the crossbar.
Carnesecchi ensured that Pafos did not find a route back into the game in the 74th minute. He initially spilled Anderson Silva’s long-range shot, then reacted sharply to stop Biel’s follow-up. Biel eventually scored in the 88th minute, finishing across goal from inside the area to reduce the deficit, but it did not change the shape of the result.
After three minutes of added time, referee Ladeback brought an opening European night to a close with Atalanta 3-1 ahead. The result gives Sarri’s side a convincing start in the Conference League, with Elmas, Raspadori and Scamacca providing the goals and the only shadow falling over the evening being Raspadori’s fitness.
