Atalanta get knocked down after tubthumping week ‘saving Italian football’ | Nicky Bandini

2026-03-02 - 12:33

Raffaele Palladino’s side lacked energy after salvaging Serie A pride last week, when league was written off prematurely On Wednesday, Atalanta “saved Italian football”. At least, that’s what the headlines said after their sensational 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund that overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit and ensured Serie A representation in the last 16 of the Champions League. Yet on Sunday they could not save themselves from defeat to Sassuolo. This ought to have been so much easier. Their opponents were a man down from the 16th minute, when Andrea Pinamonti was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Berat Djimsiti. Perhaps Atalanta let complacency creep in, multiplied by exhaustion from their midweek exertions. Or maybe Sassuolo deserve all the credit for the resilience they have developed this season under Fabio Grosso. Either way, it was the Neroverdi who prevailed, taking the lead when Ismaël Koné forced the ball home at a corner then doubling it with a top-corner finish by Kristian Thorstvedt from the edge of the D. “I get knocked down, but I get up again,” promised the chorus of Chumbawumba’s Tubthumping, playing as the goal music on the Mapei Stadium PA. Atalanta did rouse themselves, pulling one back through Yunus Musah, but Sassuolo held on for the 2-1 win. Continue reading...