Atalanta score dramatic late penalty to knock out Dortmund
When last year's Champions League finalists Inter Milan were eliminated by Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday, it appeared that Italian football was on the verge of an unprecedented low.
With Atalanta trailing by two goals and Juventus three goals down after their first-leg matches, there was a genuine risk that the Champions League last 16 would feature no Italian clubs for the first time since the 1987-88 season, when the competition was still known as the European Cup.
Although Juventus ultimately fell short despite a commendable fightback against Galatasaray, Atalanta emerged as the unexpected saviors of Italian football in the Champions League.
Down 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund from the first leg of their knockout phase play-off, Atalanta scored three goals within 57 minutes and then converted a dramatic last-second penalty after Karim Adeyemi's goal had appeared to force extra time.
"Everyone had written us off," said Atalanta defender Davide Zappacosta.
"This match showed once again how strong this group is - we always believe and we never give up."
Why Atalanta's progress is important for Italian football
Atalanta are Italy's sole representative in the Champions League last 16.
Since the reintroduction of the last-16 knockout round to Europe's premier competition in 2003-04, there has always been at least one Italian team present.
Not since the 1987-88 season, when Napoli were eliminated in the first round of the European Cup by Real Madrid, has Serie A lacked representation in the last 16 or equivalent knockout stages.
Following Inter's exit on Tuesday, numerous Italian football experts described the situation as a disaster for the sport in Italy.
"It is a piece of history," said journalist Vincenzo Credendino. "Speaking about Italy and Inter, this is one of the worst pieces."
Another Italian football journalist, Daniele Verri, stated that all three Italian sides failing to reach the knockout stages would have been a "complete debacle, a disaster for our clubs."
Atalanta's advancement—and the manner in which they battled through—offers some hope, although their challenge intensifies in the last 16, where they face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich.
Against Dortmund, they demonstrated the self-belief that will serve them well against either the Premier League or Bundesliga leaders.
"Now Atalanta are the darlings of Italian football," former West Brom and Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
European football expert James Horncastle added: "They're sort of Serie A's Bodo/Glimt in many respects.
"They were a yo-yo club until about eight years ago and we've not only seen them win a European trophy and reach three Coppa Italia finals but really establish themselves in the Champions League."
Football journalist Nicky Bandini described Atalanta's comeback win as "significant" for Italian football, adding: "I think there would be more of a feelgood factor that carries over for a team like Atalanta than there would be for Juventus or for Inter because they haven't been traditionally one of the big teams of Italian football."
'A dream come true' - how Atalanta defied the odds
Atalanta won the Europa League in 2024
While Inter and Juventus boast rich and successful histories in Europe's premier club competition, having won five European Cups/Champions League titles between them, Atalanta are comparatively modest in stature.
They first participated in the competition in 2019 and have reached the last 16 twice before, with their best performance being a quarter-final appearance on their debut.
They secured the Europa League title in 2024 but failed to reach the knockouts in their previous two Champions League campaigns.
Atalanta had never before overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit, highlighting the challenge they faced against Dortmund.
Nonetheless, they exhibited great spirit and determination, even after the disappointment of Adeyemi's goal, which leveled the tie after Atalanta had worked hard to go from 2-0 down to 3-2 up on aggregate.
"It's an unforgettable night, a dream come true," Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino said.
"We put everything into this performance: heart, soul, spirit and courage. We played an Atalanta-style match, and that's why we're so happy with what we achieved."
Atalanta captain Marten de Roon added: "We knew we had to play the perfect match and we did.
"We suffered when we had to, attacked when we had to, and in the end the result is deserved."
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