Raffaele Palladino admits Atalanta’s comeback from 2-0 right down to ‘will go down in historical past’ of the Champions League. ‘That is our DNA.’
La Dea had a mountain to climb after , however managed to show it round to steer 3-0 on the night time with Gianluca Scamacca, Davide Zappacosta and Mario Pasalic.
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Karim Adeyemi made it 3-3 on combination and further time appeared inevitable till the last-gasp Lazar Samardzic penalty.
Palladino happy with historic Atalanta comeback
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Lazar Samardzic of Atalanta scores his workforce’s fourth purpose from the penalty spot through the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
“This can be a match that may go down in historical past, not simply right here in Bergamo for all of the Atalanta followers, however for Italian soccer as an entire,”
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“We achieved a comeback that may keep within the historical past books. We’re so glad, I need to thank each single participant, those that had been on the sphere, on the bench, within the stands, my employees, the President Antonio Percassi, the administrators, and all of the followers.
“There have been 23,000 individuals pushing us from begin to end this night, they created a singular ambiance in our stadium.
“It was most likely the very best sport I ever skilled in my teaching profession, and it’ll stay in my thoughts ceaselessly. This membership deserves this unbelievable satisfaction.”
Atalanta turn into the third Italian membership to overturn a two-goal deficit from the primary leg, after Juventus and Roma.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Marco Carnesecchi of Atalanta celebrates victory following through the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
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“We knew it was really tough this night, however not unimaginable, as a result of the primary leg efficiency noticed us go behind within the opening minutes and it was an uphill battle from there,” continued Palladino.
“We studied our opponents fastidiously, and knew that we may have our say. It was robust, however after the comeback win in opposition to Napoli final week, it gave us extra perception.
“I may see that optimistic vitality within the eyes of my gamers, and the spirit was implausible.”
Krstovic got here off the bench and was left with a bloodied head by that Ramy Bensebaini foul for the decisive penalty.
“Krstovic is a good instance, as he fought for that ball, confirmed a lot braveness to go for that cross and realise he may win it. That’s the Atalanta DNA.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Lazar Samardzic of Atalanta celebrates scoring his workforce’s fourth purpose with teammates after scoring from the penalty spot through the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
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Contemplating the huge distinction between the primary and second leg, what did Palladino change in his Atalanta facet?
“We made too many errors and had been too timid, however we studied fastidiously, knew what the target was, and that we would have liked to do plenty of cross-field passes to stretch them out of form.
“I additionally need to underline the significance of the strikers, Scamacca within the first half after which Krstovic, in urgent the goalkeeper, who’s an actual sweeper-keeper for Dortmund.”
With Inter’s elimination final night time to Bodo/Glimt and Juventus going through an excellent harder activity with Galatasaray, there was the real concern Italy would don’t have any representatives within the Champions League Spherical of 16.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Mario Pasalic of Atalanta celebrates scoring his workforce’s third purpose with teammates and followers through the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
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“I heard plenty of feedback about Italian soccer and I believe it should be protected, above all from the within,” famous Palladino.
“We’re too harsh when issues don’t go effectively, we want extra constructive criticism, to be a bit extra optimistic, and we proved that this night.
“It’s probably no person believed in us tonight, which is why I informed the lads we would have liked to make all of them eat their phrases about us.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Karim Adeyemi of Borussia Dortmund passes the ball while underneath stress from Sincere Ahanor of Atalanta through the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
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The dramatic night had appeared as if it was heading to further time after Karim Adeyemi received it again to 3-3 on combination, so how did Atalanta cope with that state of affairs?
“I couldn’t do something from the bench, it was all within the mentality of the lads, their maturity and self-confidence,” famous Palladino.
“If we’d performed this sport six weeks in the past, we most likely would’ve misplaced. Now we now have matured, realised when to defend, when to assault, easy methods to learn conditions higher. I don’t wish to defend deep, I need to press, and this workforce is effectively suited to that too, so we’re in sync.
“In these closing minutes, the gamers did all of it, with coronary heart, high quality, intelligence and smarts. They did one thing unforgettable.”