Atalanta Vs Napoli: atalanta vs napoli ends 2-1 as Pašalić and Samardžić complete Bergamo comeback
atalanta vs napoli produced a dramatic turnaround at the New Balance Arena as Atalanta rallied from an early deficit to beat the reigning Italian champions 2-1. The result, on MD26 of the 2025/26 Serie A Enilive, sent Atalanta up to 45 points and left Napoli to regroup amid injury concerns and a run of dropped ground in the title race.
Second-half rally at the New Balance Arena flips the script
Second-half fireworks lit up Bergamo as Atalanta roared back to stun Napoli, with goals from Mario Pašalić and Samardžić turning a 1-0 hole into a 2-1 victory. The comeback kept the Nerazzurri’s charge up the table in full swing and delivered three points that lifted Atalanta to 45 points in the 2025/26 Serie A Enilive MD26 standings.
How the goals unfolded: Beukema, Pašalić and Samardžić
Napoli opened the scoring on 18 minutes when Beukema nodded the ball into the net from a free-kick delivery. Atalanta levelled in the 61st minute when Pašalić buried Zalewski's pinpoint corner past Milinković-Savić. The turnaround was completed in the 82nd minute, when Samardžić rose above his marker to meet Bernasconi’s cross and power a header into the bottom corner — the strike that sealed the game.
Key saves, near-misses and momentum shifts
The match featured a string of decisive interventions. Atalanta goalkeeper Carnesecchi denied Alisson's point-blank chance before stopping Vergara's follow-up tap-in right before the break. Napoli's Milinković-Savić kept his side in front of several Atalanta threats, tipping Krstović's effort behind and getting down to gather Kamaldeen's attempt on 40 minutes; he also denied Scamacca's powerful effort in the 68th with a diving save. Early in the second half Vergara dragged a shot wide, and Bellanova's 56th-minute header was blocked as both sides pushed for control.
Lineups, substitutions and disciplinary notes
Atalanta named Carnesecchi; Scalvini (replaced by Djimsiti in the 68th); Hien; Kolašinac (replaced by Ahanor in the 83rd); Bellanova (replaced by Bernasconi in the 57th); De Roon; Pašalić; Zappacosta; Kamaldeen (replaced by Samardžić at half-time, 46th); Zalewski; Krstović (replaced by Scamacca in the 57th). Unused bench players were Rossi, Sportiello, Kossounou, Bakker, Musah, Éderson and Vavassori, with Raffaele Palladino listed as coach. Napoli started Milinković-Savić; Beukema; Juan Jesus (replaced by Oliveira in the 70th); Buongiorno; Mazzocchi (replaced by Spinazzola in the 63rd); Lobotka; Elmas; Gutierrez (replaced by Politano in the 62nd); Vergara (replaced by Giovane in the 70th); Alisson Santos (replaced by Lukaku in the 85th); Højlund. Napoli's unused bench included Meret, Contini, Gilmour, Prisco and De Chiara, and Antonio Conte was listed as coach. The match record notes that Juan Jesus (Napoli) and Zalewski (Atalanta) were booked.
Matchday context: Scotland internationals, injuries and standings
The fixture had extra attention because Italy-based Scotland internationals Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay featured in the build-up to this summer's World Cup finals. Midfield duo Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay had helped Napoli win the league title last season. On the day, Scott McTominay missed out through a thigh injury and sat out a third game in a row, while Billy Gilmour—who returned last weekend from a long-term injury—was listed on Napoli's bench and remained unused. Napoli's injury-hit squad find themselves 14 points adrift of leaders Internazionale, and the pre-match listings had Napoli third in the table visiting seventh-placed Atalanta, who were unbeaten in eight Serie A outings before this game.
Officials, matchday and timing
The match was officiated by referee Daniele Chiffi from Padova, with assistant referees Dario Cecconi from Empoli and Davide Moro from Schio, fourth official Luca Zufferli from Udine, V. A. R. Gianluca Aureliano from Bologna and A. V. A. R. Aleandro Di Paolo from Avezzano. The fixture took place at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo on MD26 of the 2025/26 Serie A Enilive calendar. Last updated 22 February 2026 at 15: 35 ET; original listing noted all times UK.
