Atalanta Vs Napoli: Atalanta strike back to topple reigning champions 2-1 in Bergamo
In Bergamo, atalanta vs napoli finished 2-1 after Atalanta recovered from an early deficit to beat the reigning Italian champions at the New Balance Arena, a result that lifted the hosts to 45 points in the 2025/26 Serie A Enilive MD26.
Second-half fightback seals three points
Napoli took the lead in the 18th minute when Beukema nodded the ball into the net from a free-kick delivery, but Atalanta turned the game around with second-half goals from Pašalić in the 61st minute and Samardžić in the 82nd minute. The Samardžić strike — a header meeting Bernasconi’s cross and finding the bottom corner — completed the comeback and wrapped up three points for the Nerazzurri.
Atalanta Vs Napoli: key moments and scoreline
The match saw several clear chances before the turnaround: Atalanta’s Krstović and Kamaldeen combined in the first half, with Kamaldeen’s efforts saved or tipped behind by goalkeeper Milinkovic-Savic; Carnesecchi denied Allison point-blank and then stopped Vergara’s follow-up before the break. After half-time Vergara dragged a shot wide and Bellanova had a 56th-minute header blocked, Scamacca’s 68th-minute rocket was saved by Milinkovic-Savic, and Pašalić buried Zalewski’s corner at 61 minutes to level the game. Scorers: Beukema 18 (N), Pašalić 61 (A), Samardžić 82 (A).
Lineups, substitutions and match officials
Atalanta’s starting XI read: Carnesecchi; Scalvini (Djimsiti 68), Hien, Kolašinac (Ahanor 83), Bellanova (Bernasconi 57); De Roon; Pašalić; Zappacosta; Kamaldeen (Samardžić 46); Zalewski; Krstović (Scamacca 57). Unused bench: Rossi, Sportiello, Kossounou, Bakker, Musah, Éderson, Vavassori. Coach: Raffaele Palladino.
Napoli’s starting XI read: Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema; Juan Jesus (Oliveira 70); Buongiorno; Mazzocchi (Spinazzola 63); Lobotka; Elmas; Gutierrez (Politano 62); Vergara (Giovane 70); Alisson Santos (Lukaku 85); Hojlund. Unused bench: Meret, Contini, Gilmour, Prisco, De Chiara. Coach: Antonio Conte.
Referee: Daniele Chiffi from Padova; Assistant referees: Dario Cecconi from Empoli and Davide Moro from Schio; Fourth official: Luca Zufferli from Udine; V. A. R.: Gianluca Aureliano from Bologna; A. V. A. R.: Aleandro Di Paolo from Avezzano. Notes: Juan Jesus (N) and Zalewski (A) were booked.
Scott McTominay absent, Billy Gilmour on the bench
Scott McTominay missed the match through a thigh injury, sidelined for a third game in a row, while fellow Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour was named on Napoli’s bench after returning last weekend from a long-term injury. McTominay and Gilmour helped Napoli win the league title last season; the injury-hit Napoli side sit 14 points adrift of leaders Internazionale and were third-top heading into the match against seventh-placed Atalanta, who arrived unbeaten in eight Serie A outings.
Coverage, context and what comes next
This game was the second in a series of live Serie A matches following the progress of Italy-based Scotland internationals in the build-up to this summer’s World Cup finals. Viewers were able to watch coverage on the Sport website, iPlayer, app and Alba; the live coverage page carried a last updated time of 22nd February 2026 at 21: 11 (all times UK).
Atalanta’s victory lifted them to 45 points in the 2025/26 Serie A Enilive MD26. The broadcasters and clubs will move on to the next scheduled Serie A fixtures as the season progresses and as the build-up continues toward the World Cup finals.
