Atalanta Vs Napoli: Atalanta strike back to topple reigning champions 2-1
In the latest instalment of Serie A, atalanta vs napoli produced a dramatic second-half turnaround as Atalanta recovered from an 18th-minute opener to win 2-1 at the New Balance Arena on 2025/26 Serie A Enilive MD26, a result that moved Atalanta to 45 points.
Atalanta Vs Napoli: second-half comeback in Bergamo
Napoli took the lead on 18 minutes when Beukema nodded home from a free-kick delivery, but Atalanta hit back after the break. Pašalić levelled in the 61st minute by burying Zalewski's corner past Milinkovic-Savic, and Samardžić completed the turnaround in the 82nd minute with a towering header from Bernasconi's cross that sealed the 2-1 victory for the Nerazzurri at Bergamo's New Balance Arena.
Match timeline and key moments
After a level start, Atalanta’s Krstović saw an effort tipped behind by Milinkovic-Savic, and Kamaldeen tested the keeper again on 40 minutes only for Milinkovic-Savic to gather. Right before half-time, goalkeeper Carnesecchi denied Alisson’s point-blank chance and then blocked Vergara's follow-up tap-in. Early in the second half Vergara dragged a shot wide and Bellanova had a 56th-minute header blocked. Scamacca’s 68th-minute rocket was kept out by Milinkovic-Savic before Samardžić’s 82nd-minute header finished the comeback.
Lineups, substitutions and officials
Atalanta named 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 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 included 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. Bookings: Juan Jesus (Napoli) and Zalewski (Atalanta).
Pre-match context: injuries, bench and broadcast
Before the match, Scott McTominay missed out through a thigh injury and did not feature for Napoli, missing a third game in a row, while fellow Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour, who returned last weekend from a long-term injury, was named on the bench. The midfield duo had helped Napoli win the league title last season, but this injury-hit Napoli sit 14 points adrift of leaders Internazionale and were listed third-top in the table ahead of the visit to seventh-placed Atalanta, who had been unbeaten in eight Serie A outings.
The match was offered as the second of a live Serie A match series that follows Italy-based Scotland internationals in the build-up to this summer's World Cup finals, with viewers advised they could watch the action on the Sport website, iPlayer, app and Alba. Last Updated 22nd February 2026 at 21: 40. Please note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. Copyright © 2026. The is not responsible for the content of external sites.
What this means next
The win lifted Atalanta to 45 points on MD26 of the 2025/26 Serie A campaign; Napoli, the reigning champions, were left to regroup after the defeat. The live series covering Italy-based Scotland internationals continues as part of the build-up to this summer's World Cup finals.
