Atalanta BC fell 2-1 to Feyenoord in an extended 120-minute friendly at De Kuip Stadium today, closing out the inaugural De Kuip Cup with a performance that revealed both promise and growing pains as the Bergamo club continues its pre-season preparations ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Why This Matters
• Significant test in a competitive-length match provides a realistic gauge of Atalanta's form and squad cohesion before competitive fixtures.
• Nikola Krstović scored Atalanta's lone goal, maintaining his form from pre-season after netting in the 3-2 comeback win over Arezzo.
• Final warm-up before crucial friendlies against Schalke (August 8) and Athletic Club (August 14) ahead of the 2026-27 season opener.
A Realistic Pre-Season Gauge
The match at Rotterdam's historic De Kuip stadium—a tournament honoring 2,332 deceased members of the Feyenoord family, plus Italian legend Franco Baresi at Atalanta's request—offered a genuine stress test for Atalanta's preparations. The squad, which has undergone changes this summer including the appointment of Maurizio Sarri as the new tactical direction for the club, faced a well-organized Dutch side in an extended format.
Today's result—Atalanta's first defeat of pre-season following wins over their U23 side, Mantova, and Arezzo—exposed areas for improvement. Feyenoord striker Ayase Ueda converted an 11th-minute penalty after Giorgio Scalvini was penalized for handball, and the Dutch side dominated large stretches of the first half with quick combination play that left Atalanta's high defensive line scrambling.
Gaetano's Debut in Midfield Anchor Role
Gianluca Gaetano, the €12M summer signing from Cagliari and a key addition to Atalanta's midfield, completed his first significant test in the deep-lying playmaker position. The 24-year-old, who recorded 35 appearances and 3 goals for Cagliari last season as a converted attacking midfielder, represents one of the major squad reinforcements as Atalanta prepares for a new tactical era under Sarri's upcoming leadership.
The adjustment to demands for a metronomic passer who dictates tempo from the base of midfield remains a work in progress. Atalanta struggled with Feyenoord's aggressive pressing, particularly in the opening half-hour when Dutch winger Valente struck the crossbar in the 28th minute and Vanhoutte spurned a clear chance in first-half stoppage time after a clever backheel from Ueda.
Post-World Cup Returns and Match Incidents
The match marked the return of Kamaldeen Sulemana to the starting XI following his participation in the 2026 World Cup, alongside substitutes Sead Kolasinac and Mario Pašalić. Krstović, deployed as the central striker, showed glimpses of his value as a mobile reference point—hitting the inside of the post from 25 meters in the third minute before equalizing in the 51st with a diving header off Scalvini's cross from the left edge of the six-yard box.
Gianluca Scamacca, competing for striking opportunities, came close to completing the comeback in the 70th minute, heading Bernasconi's cross downward only to see Feyenoord keeper Ernst push it around the post. But the decisive blow came in the 81st minute when Marco Sportiello—starting in goal ahead of Marco Carnesecchi—misjudged his positioning and allowed Shaqueel van Persie, son of Arsenal legend Robin, to score with a half-shoulder finish from close range. The goal came after Feyenoord's Zinhagel appeared to shove Raoul Bellanova on Lotomba's cross from the right.
What This Means for Residents
For Atalanta supporters in Bergamo and throughout Lombardy, this friendly result offers a realistic preview of the season ahead. The club has undergone significant changes this summer, losing key pieces most notably Marco Palestra (€57M to Chelsea) and Ademola Lookman (€35M to Atlético Madrid in February). With reinforcements like Gaetano arriving, the squad is being reshaped for a new tactical direction.
The appointment of Maurizio Sarri signals a philosophical shift for the club. His approach—centered on possession-based build-up play and structured defensive organization—represents a different footballing philosophy compared to the high-intensity, man-marking style that defined the Gian Piero Gasperini era, which carried the club to a Europa League title in 2024 and consistent Champions League qualification.
Players like Éderson, who attempted a long-range effort that sailed high in the early minutes, must adapt to evolving tactical demands. The extended 120-minute format—unusual for a friendly—allowed the coaching staff to rotate and assess fitness, but it also revealed defensive vulnerabilities. Atalanta conceded a penalty for handball, allowed multiple dangerous counterattacks, and struggled to maintain consistent defensive organization throughout.
The Road Ahead
Atalanta's pre-season calendar includes two more high-profile tests: a trip to Gelsenkirchen's Veltins-Arena to face Schalke on August 8 at 5:00 PM, followed by a clash with Athletic Club at the New Balance Arena on August 14 at 8:45 PM. Those matches will offer the coaching staff final opportunities to refine details and assess match sharpness before competitive fixtures resume.
The De Kuip Cup may have ended in defeat, but the performance was far from disastrous. Krstović's movement, Scalvini's willingness to push forward, and flashes of combination play in transition suggest positive elements are emerging. Yet the lapses in defensive coordination—Watanabe was beaten too easily on Krstovic's early chance, and Sportiello's error proved costly—underscore areas requiring attention.
In the 30-minute extra period, van Persie tested Sportiello again, while third-choice keeper Vismara faced a shot from Van den Elshout. Daniel Maldini—son of Milan legend Paolo and among the players who returned from loan this summer—twice drove at goal in the final stages, both efforts narrowly missing the post, while Feyenoord's Bossin was forced into a late save to deny Scamacca after a feed from Zalewski.
Tactical Transition Under Way
With Maurizio Sarri set to take the helm, Atalanta enters a transition period. Sarri's tactical philosophy emphasizes building from the back, maintaining possession, and structured defensive organization—principles that require time and cohesion to implement fully.
For now, Atalanta's preparation remains ongoing. The team's conditioning is not yet optimal, as evidenced by visible fatigue in the extended format. But there were no capitulations, no tactical collapses—just the uneven rhythm of a squad in pre-season preparation.
Supporters hoping for immediate results may need to temper expectations. Tactical transitions typically require time to fully integrate. Atalanta, historically a club built on defensive aggression and verticality, faces an adjustment period ahead. But if the squad can adapt efficiently, if emerging talents can fulfill their potential, and if the backline—led by Scalvini, Hien, and returning loanee Giorgio Cittadini—can execute new defensive approaches, this transition could yield dividends as the season progresses.
For now, the scoreline reads 2-1 against, but the project remains in its early stages.
