Raffaele Palladino feels the last two Atalanta victories over Chelsea and Cagliari showed ‘the right spirit’ and reveals Gianluca Scamacca almost didn’t play tonight.

It has been an ideal few days for La Dea, who beat Chelsea 2-1 in the Champions League, then held out under pressure to secure an identical result in Serie A against Cagliari.

Scamacca is finally finding his fitness after almost a year out dealing with a knee ligament injury, as he has now scored four goals in his last three competitive matches, including tonight’s double.

“It was certainly a difficult match against a good Cagliari side, who have players with pace that can hit us on the counter,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia.

“We played a great first half, creating many chances and not running any risks. We took the lead and the only regret is that we didn’t take our other opportunities to double our lead, because if you leave these games open, then anything can happen.”

Atalanta finding their feet under Palladino

It felt for a while as if there might be another stalemate when Gianluca Gaetano equalised, but Scamacca completed his brace just six minutes later.

“In the second half, we started to lose intensity and stamina, I think due to the many games we’ve played in the last 20 days. The thing I liked most of all is that when we conceded the equaliser at the 81^st minute, we could’ve collapsed mentally, but instead we kept pushing to win it, that tells me the spirit is there in this group.”

He also revealed something unexpected about his star striker’s performance tonight.

“Scamacca had a fever, he grit his teeth and wanted to be there to help the team. I told him when I was a player, my best performances were when I was running a temperature, and he smiled. He gave his all for us.”

Since taking over from sacked Ivan Juric, this will be the first time Palladino has had a whole week to prepare for a match against Genoa.

“Winning helps you to win,” noted the coach. “We had four home wins in front of our fans in all competition, so creating that enthusiasm in Bergamo is fundamental.”

This was the final match for Ademola Lookman and Odilon Kossounou of 2025, as they will be off on international duty for the Africa Cup of Nations.

There were also concerns during the second half when Berat Djimsiti pulled up clutching the back of his right thigh with an adductor issue.

“Obviously, we are losing two important players, it’s a pity we also lost Djimsiti today and we’ll have to see what the tests say. I will have to find different solutions, but having a week to prepare is a huge bonus,” continued the coach.

“I really haven’t had much time to work with these players on the training field when there’s a game every three days and travel too, all you have time for is recovery. Now we can concentrate on training and proposing new tactical ideas.”

While Atalanta have excelled in the Champions League and are currently in the top eight, this was only their second Serie A victory in the last 11 rounds.

“I need to drill the mentality into these lads that when times are difficult, we need to push even harder, believe even more in our capabilities, and I saw that both against Chelsea and tonight. Not everyone can go behind at home to Chelsea and turn it around, not everyone can concede a late equaliser when exhausted and push on to win it anyway.

“I congratulated the players for their efforts this evening.”

Gianluca Scamacca is rediscovering his form with Atalanta just in time to play for Italy in the World Cup play-offs, while Charles De Ketelaere calls him ‘a real centre-forward.’

The centre-forward has not been the same since the serious knee ligament injury he sustained in pre-season 2024, but after setbacks in the recovery process, he seems to finally be back to his best.

He bagged both in Atalanta’s 2-1 victory over Cagliari at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo this evening, around a temporary Gianluca Gaetano equaliser.

The first was an improvisation, redirecting Davide Zappacosta’s wayward effort with a back-heel flick, while with the second he reacted quickly to a volley gone wrong.

Scamacca and De Ketelaere respected Cagliari

“We expected it to be difficult, we should’ve scored more goals in the first half, Cagliari are tough and equalised, but we managed to bring it home,” Scamacca told Sky Sport Italia.

“We always try to give our all, but when there are so many games close together, we can lack sharpness sometimes. We’re on the right track, though.”

Rediscovering his form could also be boon to the Italy squad going into the crucial 2026 World Cup play-offs in March.

“Absolutely, but I am totally concentrated on Atalanta, because we have many objectives.”

Scamacca now has five Serie A goals and one in the Champions League this season, netting four goals in his last three competitive appearances.

However, Atalanta will now be without both Ademola Lookman and Odilon Kossounou, who are heading off to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations.

“Those who play will be ready and give their best,” assured Scamacca.

While Atalanta are flying high in the Champions League, this was only their fourth Serie A win in 15 rounds, along with seven draws and four defeats.

“We needed points to climb the table, and fortunately we got the result. It is better to play badly and get three points than the other way around,” noted De Ketelaere on Sky Sport Italia.

“We must be humble, take it one game at a time and keep going. You can see Scamacca is a real centre-forward, as the first goal he was in the right place, on the second he reacted well.”

Gianluca Scamacca struck twice around a temporary Gianluca Gaetano equaliser, as Atalanta squeezed to victory over Cagliari to complete an ideal week.

La Dea were fresh from a Champions League victory over Chelsea, yet had just one Serie A win in the last 10 rounds, so needed to catch up. Raoul Bellanova joined Kamaldeen Sulemana and Mitchel Bakker on the treatment table, with Isak Hien suffering from flu symptoms. The Sardinians missed Yerry Mina, Mattia Felici, Ze Pedro and Andrea Belotti, but Adam Obert returned after victory over Roma.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Charles De Ketelaere sent Ademola Lookman into the box, with the first shot parried by on-rushing Elia Caprile, then fired the rebound onto the side-netting.

Atalanta broke through soon after, as Lookman got down the left and pulled back for Davide Zappacosta, whose wayward strike was redirected from six yards by Scamacca’s back-heel flick.

Lorenzo Bernasconi got back to stop his former Atalanta Under-23 side teammate Marco Palestra going clear on goal, then Lookman’s effort was charged down for a corner.

Scamacca fired straight at Caprile on a smart De Ketelaere through ball, then the goalkeeper got down for a great one-handed save from close range on Lookman, with De Ketelaere’s follow-up deflected onto the roof of the net.

Cagliari had a huge opportunity to equalise on the stroke of half-time, Gennaro Borrelli’s header flashing inches wide on Michael Folorunsho’s cross.

Berat Djimsiti pulled up clutching the back of his right thigh and had to be replaced, as Atalanta began to visibly run out of steam following their midweek European exertions.

The visitors took advantage and equalised with an excellent team move. Folorunsho found Gianluca Gaetano, who completed a quick give and go with Sebastiano Esposito to burst into the box and bent the finish past an on-rushing Marco Carnesecchi with the inside of the right boot.

Scamacca restored Atalanta’s lead when his volley from a Lazar Samardzic volley didn’t come off, but it landed kindly and he was quickest to react on the loose ball, prodding it through Caprile’s legs from six yards.

Nicola Zalewski forced two tricky saves from Caprile in the same move, one at the near post, then a curler from the edge of the area.

Zito Luvumbo had the ball in the net for Cagliari during stoppages, but only after Folorunsho had wandered offside when flicking on the assist to the back post.

Atalanta 2-1 Cagliari

Scamacca 11, 81 (A), Gaetano 75 (C)

13-12-2025 19:45

MatchDay 15

Gewiss Stadium (Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia)

Atalanta

Cagliari

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Gianluca Scamacca (Assist: Davide Zappacosta)		11'
Lorenzo Bernasconi		33'

2nd half

		57'		Juan Rodríguez
		75'		Gianluca Gaetano (Assist: Sebastiano Esposito)
		76'		Gianluca Gaetano
Gianluca Scamacca		81'

Match statistic

58

Possession %

42

17

Total shots

8

8

Shots on target

1

5

Shots off target

5

4

Blocked shots

2

5

Corners

4

Offsides

4

13

Fouls

15

Atalanta

Cagliari

Starting lineups

29

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

19

Berat Djimsiti

Defender

55'

77

Davide Zappacosta

Defender

79'

47

Lorenzo Bernasconi

Defender

66'

3

Odilon Kossounou

Defender

79'

23

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

13

Éderson

Midfielder

66'

15

Marten de Roon

Midfielder

11

Ademola Lookman

Attacker

17

Charles De Ketelaere

Attacker

9

Gianluca Scamacca

Attacker

1

Elia Caprile

Goalkeeper

33

Adam Obert

Defender

28

Gabriele Zappa

Defender

58'

Juan Rodríguez

Defender

66'

2

Marco Palestra

Defender

6

Sebastiano Luperto

Defender

87'

14

Alessandro Deiola

Midfielder

90

Michael Folorunsho

Midfielder

8

Michel Adopo

Midfielder

87'

29

Gennaro Borrelli

Attacker

58'

94

Sebastiano Esposito

Attacker

Substitutes

70

Daniel Maldini

Midfielder

31

Francesco Rossi

Goalkeeper

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

42

Giorgio Scalvini

Defender

44

Marco Brescianini

Midfielder

90

Nikola Krstovic

Attacker

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

55'

59

Nicola Zalewski

Midfielder

66'

6

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

66'

10

Lazar Samardžić

Midfielder

79'

8

Mario Pasalic

Midfielder

79'

20

Marko Rog

Midfielder

31

Boris Radunović

Goalkeeper

4

Luca Mazzitelli

Midfielder

18

Alessandro Di Pardo

Defender

24

Giuseppe Ciocci

Goalkeeper

9

Semih Kılıçsoy

Attacker

23

Nicola Pintus

Defender

27

Joseph Liteta

Midfielder

10

Gianluca Gaetano

Midfielder

58'

16

Matteo Prati

Midfielder

58'

3

Riyad Idrissi

Defender

66'

30

Leonardo Pavoletti

Attacker

87'

77

Zito Luvumbo

Attacker

87'

Atalanta director Luca Percassi acknowledges the win over Chelsea was their third greatest European night, but now they must ‘battle for every point’ against Cagliari.

It kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s three Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The Bergamo boys are wearing their Christmas Match kit, which will then be auctioned off to raise funds for charity, as it has been for 15 years now.

It arrives just days after their Champions League 2-1 comeback victory over Chelsea, which propelled them into the top eight with a view of going straight into the Round of 16.

However, in Serie A they are still playing catch-up and won only one of their last 10 games.

Percassi marks European milestone for Atalanta

“It is going to be a very difficult match against a team that showed last week how dangerous it can be, they are well set out with good players, so it certainly will be tough,” Percassi told Sky Sport Italia.

The panel put it to the director that the victory over Chelsea was the third best night for the club in Europe, after the Europa League Final triumph and their 3-0 Champions League win away to Liverpool.

“I fully agree! It was a magical night.”

Nonetheless, Percassi shrugs off suggestions La Dea are doing anything other than battling for every point domestically, let alone taking European qualification for granted.

“It would be a terrible error for Atalanta to give less than 100 per cent in Serie A, as our objective as always is to secure safety as soon as possible, then build from there.”

Atalanta are fresh from a Champions League win over Chelsea, so Ademola Lookman, Charles De Ketelaere and Gianluca Scamacca face Marco Palestra’s Cagliari.

It kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s three Serie A games on the Liveblog.

This has been a remarkable few days for Atalanta, who shrugged off a Serie A defeat to Verona by completing a comeback to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the Champions League.

That result put them in the top eight and they could even go straight into the Round of 16 if they keep up this kind of European form.

However, they’re still playing catch-up domestically after the dismal Ivan Juric era, and under Raffaele Palladino have lost to Napoli and Verona around a 2-0 win over Fiorentina.

Remarkably, that was their only victory in the last 10 Serie A rounds.

Raoul Bellanova limped off during the Chelsea game and is ruled out for circa a month, along with Kamaldeen Sulemana and Mitchel Bakker.

Isak Hien is also out of action after coming down with flu symptoms.

De Ketelaere, Scamacca and Lookman are starting to really gel as a front three, so there are no changes there.

Squad rotation is in defence, as midweek Sead Kolasinac had his first start since knee surgery in April, but he starts again.

Cagliari had been on a negative run of four draws in the last nine rounds, but ended it with a shock 1-0 victory over 10-man Roma.

Colombia international veteran Yerry Mina is still out of action, along with Mattia Felici, Ze Pedro and Andrea Belotti, but Adam Obert returns to the squad.

Gennaro Borrelli, Sebastiano Esposito and Michael Folorunsho lead the attack, but the player being watched most carefully is Palestra.

That is partly for his many impressive performances down the right flank in recent weeks, but above all because he is on loan from Atalanta.

The 20-year-old was a star of their youth academy and has been given this opportunity to prove himself in Serie A.

Atalanta vs. Cagliari official line-ups

Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; De Ketelaere, Scamacca, Lookman

Cagliari: Caprile; Zappa, Luperto, J Rodriguez, Obert; Adopo, Deiola; Palestra, S Esposito, Folorunsho; Borrelli

13-12-2025 19:45

MatchDay 15

Gewiss Stadium (Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia)

Atalanta

Cagliari

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Gianluca Scamacca (Assist: Davide Zappacosta)		11'
Lorenzo Bernasconi		33'

2nd half

		57'		Juan Rodríguez
		75'		Gianluca Gaetano (Assist: Sebastiano Esposito)
		76'		Gianluca Gaetano
Gianluca Scamacca		81'

Match statistic

58

Possession %

42

17

Total shots

8

8

Shots on target

1

5

Shots off target

5

4

Blocked shots

2

5

Corners

4

Offsides

4

13

Fouls

15

Atalanta

Cagliari

Starting lineups

29

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

19

Berat Djimsiti

Defender

55'

77

Davide Zappacosta

Defender

79'

47

Lorenzo Bernasconi

Defender

66'

3

Odilon Kossounou

Defender

79'

23

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

13

Éderson

Midfielder

66'

15

Marten de Roon

Midfielder

11

Ademola Lookman

Attacker

17

Charles De Ketelaere

Attacker

9

Gianluca Scamacca

Attacker

1

Elia Caprile

Goalkeeper

33

Adam Obert

Defender

28

Gabriele Zappa

Defender

58'

Juan Rodríguez

Defender

66'

2

Marco Palestra

Defender

6

Sebastiano Luperto

Defender

87'

14

Alessandro Deiola

Midfielder

90

Michael Folorunsho

Midfielder

8

Michel Adopo

Midfielder

87'

29

Gennaro Borrelli

Attacker

58'

94

Sebastiano Esposito

Attacker

Substitutes

70

Daniel Maldini

Midfielder

31

Francesco Rossi

Goalkeeper

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

42

Giorgio Scalvini

Defender

44

Marco Brescianini

Midfielder

90

Nikola Krstovic

Attacker

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

55'

59

Nicola Zalewski

Midfielder

66'

6

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

66'

10

Lazar Samardžić

Midfielder

79'

8

Mario Pasalic

Midfielder

79'

20

Marko Rog

Midfielder

31

Boris Radunović

Goalkeeper

4

Luca Mazzitelli

Midfielder

18

Alessandro Di Pardo

Defender

24

Giuseppe Ciocci

Goalkeeper

9

Semih Kılıçsoy

Attacker

23

Nicola Pintus

Defender

27

Joseph Liteta

Midfielder

10

Gianluca Gaetano

Midfielder

58'

16

Matteo Prati

Midfielder

58'

3

Riyad Idrissi

Defender

66'

30

Leonardo Pavoletti

Attacker

87'

77

Zito Luvumbo

Attacker

87'

{rsn-live-v2}

Marco Palestra is shining for Cagliari, but Atalanta still have control of the 20-year-old who was on Roma and Juventus’ agenda last summer.

Palestra has recently been linked with several Serie A heavyweights, a natural, if somewhat belated, recognition of the outstanding form shown by the 2005-born right-back.

Explosive, tireless and devastating down the flank, Palestra looks unstoppable, and tonight, he’ll experience a very special match as he’ll return home for Atalanta-Cagliari.

Palestra returns to Bergamo

The promising defender will face the club that still own his registration rights, Atalanta.

Last summer, La Dea sent the 20-year-old to Cagliari on a dry loan deal. The Sardinians were looking for a replacement for Nadir Zortea, who had joined Bologna, and beat competition from Parma.

Roma and Juventus’ interest in Palestra

Palestra is a player that Gian Piero Gasperini mentioned when he was appointed as the new Roma coach last summer, but then the Giallorossi focused on Brazilian right-back Wesley.

Even Juventus made an offer to sign Palestra last summer, as we reported on July 22. The Bianconeri were prepared to offer money and Filip Kostic, but Atalanta stood firm and opted to send Palestra on loan to Cagliari, keeping control of the player.

Check out the probable line-ups and latest team news for Saturday’s three Serie A matches: Torino vs. Cremonese, Parma vs. Lazio and Atalanta vs. Cagliari.

Serie A Round 15 started on Friday with Lecce’s 1-0 win over Pisa at the Stadio Via Del Mare.

Today, Saturday, December 13, there are three more matches: Torino vs. Cremonese at 15:00 CET (14:00 GMT), Parma vs. Lazio at 18:00 CET and Atalanta vs. Cagliari at 20:45 CET.

Torino vs. Cremonese

Torino (3-5-2): Israel; Ismajli, Maripan, Coco; Pedersen, Casadei, Asllani, Vlasic, Lazaro; Simeone, Adams.

Unavailable: Schuurs

Cremonese (3-5-2): Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Bianchetti; Barbieri, Payero, Bondo, Vandeputte, Pezzella; Bonazzoli, Vardy.

Unavailable: Collocolo, Faye, Grassi, Sarmiento, Folino

Watch on TV: Paramount+ in the USA

Parma vs. Lazio

Parma (3-4-2-1): Corvi; Delprato, Troilo, Valenti; Britschgi, Bernabé, Keita, Valeri; Benedyczak, Ondrejka; Pellegrino.

Unavailable: Frigan, Circati, Suzuki, Ndiaye

Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Patric, Romagnoli, Lu. Pellegrini; Guendouzi, Cataldi, Basic; Cancellieri, Castellanos, Zaccagni.

Unavailable: Rovella, Gigot, Isaksen, Gila (suspended)

Watch on TV: DAZN in the UK and Ireland, Paramount+ in the USA

Atalanta vs. Cagliari

Atalanta (3-4-2-1):  Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Djimsiti; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Zalewski; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Scamacca.

Unavailable: Sulemana, Bellanova, Bakker

Cagliari (3-5-2): Caprile; Zappa, Luperto, Rodriguez; Palestra, Adopo, Deiola, Folorunsho, Obert: Esposito, Borrelli.

Unavailable: Belotti, Ze Pedro, Felici, Mina

Watch on TV: DAZN in the UK and Ireland, Paramount+ in the USA

Serie A table

Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino enjoyed the team’s performance against Chelsea, especially ‘ in terms of sacrifice’ but wants to see more of the same against Cagliari: ‘It’s a maturity test.’

• Read more – Maresca still frustrated by Atalanta’s win over Chelsea: ‘Review the first goal’

Atalanta are the best-ranked Serie A team in the Champions League and the only Italian side to have earned at least a spot for the knockout playoff with two games to spare.

La Dea have 13 points in six European matches, but their form in Serie A has been very different, with only 16 points in 14 league games.

Atalanta-Cagliari: Palladino’s pre-match press conference

On Tuesday, they shocked Chelsea in the Champions League with a 2-1 comeback win in Bergamo.

“It was an excellent match in terms of spirit and sacrifice. I want to see a team that understands the moments, defending and attacking together,” Palladino said at a press conference via Gianluca Di Marzio.

“Of course, we must work to improve the approach; it’s fundamental.”

Palladino went on to praise Italy starlet Honest Ahanor, who was introduced in the second half against the Blues.

“Ahanor is a talent that we have to develop. He played a great game against Chelsea, and I really like his spirit. Being bold and making the most, 110%, of every chance he’s given.”

La Dea have lost four of the last five Serie A games, and tomorrow they host a Cagliari side who beat Roma 1-0 last week.

“I expect the right spirit and a response from the team. It’s the group that makes the difference, and for us, it is a maturity test,” Palladino concluded.

“Serie A games are always difficult, even against lower-table teams. Tomorrow we face a Cagliari side that defend well and can rely on players with great stamina. The wish is to keep the same spirit we had on Tuesday.”

Atalanta sit 12th in the Serie A table and have only won three matches domestically this season.

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca is still frustrated by Tuesday’s loss against Atalanta in the Champions League: ‘If you review the first goal, they had one player inside the box, and we had seven players.’

Italian coach Maresca once again examined Atalanta’s win over his Chelsea side during a press conference on Friday.

La Dea secured a memorable 2-1 comeback victory in Bergamo earlier this week thanks to goals from Gianluca Scamacca and Charles De Ketelaere.

The Blues will host Everton in the Premier League tomorrow.

Maresca comments on Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea

“The reason why we dropped points, again, because this is football. Bournemouth away, we drew. Leeds away was a bad day for us, for all of us,” Maresca said via Football London.

“Atalanta game, again, it’s a game that for me, we were in the game, we were winning, we were okay. And we conceded, if you review the first goal, they had one player inside the box, and we had seven players. So we have seven against one, and we conceded the goal. So big mistakes are things that we need to improve.”

Maresca has also won the Premier League coach of the Month award for November, but didn’t leave much room for celebration: “It’s December now,” he said.

Atalanta are currently the best-ranked Serie A club in the Champions League and have mathematically qualified for the knockout playoff already.

However, two more wins in the remaining two matches of the league phase will grant La Dea a spot in the Round of 16.

Atalanta have earned 16 points in 14 Serie A games this season and will host Cagliari in the next league game tomorrow.

Italy have stepped even further clear of Spain, but are still locked in a battle with Germany for an additional spot in next season’s Champions League after the conclusion of Thursday night’s Europa and Conference League ties. 

It was a step in the right direction for Italy’s hopes of securing an additional Champions League spot for 2026-27, as all the Serie A representatives secured victories on Thursday night.

Fiorentina beat Dynamo Kyiv 2-1 in the Conference League early kick-off, before Roma’s 3-0 victory away against Celtic and Bologna’s 2-1 comeback victory against Celta Vigo in the Europa League. 

These add to Juventus’s 2-0 win over Pafos and Atalanta’s surprise 2-1 win over Club World Cup victors Chelsea in the Champions League earlier this week. Inter were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool in San Siro, while Napoli fell to a 2-0 defeat away against Jose Mourinho’s Benfica. 

Where Italy stands in race for extra Champions League spot

The situation leaves Italy in third place in the UEFA seasonal association coefficient rankings. This is what is used to determine which two nations receive an additional Champions League spot. 

The UEFA tables are expected to be officially updated on Friday, but figures provided by Sky Sport Italia show that Italy will be in third place on 11.071 points, behind Germany in second on 11.660 points and England in first with 13.166 points. 

Spain are in fourth with 10.609 points, with Portugal slightly behind them in fifth on 10.600 points. 

Udinese are losing pieces, through injuries and with the Africa Cup of Nations approaching.

There’s a flexor lesion in Jordan Zemura’s right thigh, meaning the left wing-back will not be able to join up with Zimbabwe for AFCON.

For Udinese it’s another problem in a department already stripped down: Rui Modesto will leave for Angola, while Kamara is dealing with plantar fasciitis.

Udinese down to barebones as Lookman future not on the agenda at Atalanta

The market is still a way off. For now, the Friulani must find an in-house solution, something to patch up the emergency on the flanks. January will come later.

And the market, at least for the moment, does not affect Ademola Lookman. He has taken back his place at Atalanta and is fully focused on the commitment with Nigeria.

When he returns to Italy, the picture will be clearer. But right now, interest in him has not produced anything concrete.

The Champions League Round 6 is in the history books, and we take a look at how many points Atalanta, Inter, Juventus and Napoli need to qualify for the next phase.

Juventus and Atalanta beat Pafos and Chelsea, respectively, in the latest round of the league phase of the Champions League, while Inter lost at home against Liverpool and Napoli were beaten by Benfica.

Currently, the best-ranked Serie A club in the Champions League table is Atalanta with 13 points, one more than Inter.

Champions League: Atalanta, Inter, Juventus and Napoli overview

Oddly, La Dea are the lowest-ranked in Serie A among the clubs competing in this season’s Champions League, as they sit 5th in the European competition and 12th domestically.

As reported by Gazzetta, Atalanta are already qualified for the knockout playoff, but with 13 points in six games, they have the destiny in their hands. With two wins in the remaining matches against Athletic Club (home) and Union Saint-Gilloise (away), Atalanta will surely qualify for the Round of 16, finishing in the top eight.

Inter, on the other hand, have 12 points, they sit sixth, but still need one point to have the certainty to qualify for the knockout playoff. Their next two games are against Arsenal (at home) and Borussia Dortmund (away), and the Nerazzurri would need to win both, possibly increasing their goal difference, to qualify for the Round of 16.

Juventus have won two consecutive matches against Bodo/Glimt and Pafos. They need one more against Benfica (at home) or Monaco (away) in January 2026 to be mathematically certain to be in the knockout playoff. Juventus currently sit 17th, and even if the top eight is just three points away, the Bianconeri would need two wins in the remaining matches and negative results from most of the teams above them in the table, so their destiny is not entirely in their hands.

Lastly, Napoli, the Serie A table leaders, but the lowest-ranked Italian team in the Champions League. The Partenopei have lost three European games from three away, conceding ten goals. They are currently ranked 23rd, and their next opponents are Copenhagen away and Chelsea at home. Copenhagen also have seven points, so a win would boost the Partenopei’s hopes to qualify for the knockout playoff, but won’t necessarily grant them a spot in the next phase with a game to spare, given that 11 points were necessary to qualify for the knockout playoff in 2024-25.

Champions League standings after Round 6

Charles De Ketelaere provided a hammer blow to Chelsea’s top-eight hopes in the Champions League after his late goal inspired Atalanta to a 2-1 win. Having set up Gianluca Scamacca’s second-half equaliser, the Belgium forward powered past Robert Sanchez with seven minutes remaining. His goal lifted Atalanta to third in the 36-team standings, eight places […]

The post Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea: Maresca´s top-eight push hampered by late De Ketelaere winner appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Atalanta 2-1 Chelsea: Maresca´s top-eight push hampered by late De Ketelaere winner appeared first on Soccer News.