Atalanta closed out its pre-season preparations with a narrow 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, claiming the 27th edition of the Trofeo Achille e Cesare Bortolotti at Bergamo's New Balance Arena. The win, sealed by a lightning-quick strike from Nicola Zalewski just 35 seconds into the second half, marks the final tune-up for Maurizio Sarri's squad before meaningful competition resumes next week with a UEFA Conference League play-off on August 20 and the Serie A season opener against Sassuolo on August 23.
Why This Matters
• Sarri's system is settling: The Italian tactician, in his third month at Atalanta, used this friendly to test rotation and tactical tweaks ahead of European and domestic fixtures.
• Zalewski's form is crucial: The Polish winger's decisive goal continues his solid contributions since joining from Roma in August 2025.
• European readiness: With the Conference League play-off looming, Atalanta's defensive solidity against a La Liga opponent provides encouragement.
Zalewski's Lightning Strike Decides Tight Contest
The match at the New Balance Arena remained goalless through a first half marked by half-chances and near misses. Gianluca Scamacca tested Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon early with a shot following a Raoul Bellanova cross, then again at the 33-minute mark with a controlled volley from distance off a Lazar Samardzic pass. Zalewski himself had fired a left-footed attempt wide on the rebound, while Gianluca Gaetano sent a fierce long-range effort off target in the 41st minute.
The Basque visitors, wrapping up their eighth and final pre-season friendly before hosting Sevilla in their La Liga opener on August 22, managed only one clear opportunity in the opening 45 minutes. Forward Sannadi lifted a precise through ball from Galarreta over the bar in the 17th minute, three minutes after Gaetano had blocked a Sancet attempt created by the right-side combination of Areso and Sannadi.
Sarri's halftime adjustments paid immediate dividends. Within seconds of the restart, Zalewski collected a pass on the run from Gaetano, cut inside his marker, and drove a left-footed shot past Simon at the near post. The goal, clocked at 35 seconds into the second period, proved to be the match-winner and showcased the kind of clinical finishing that earned Zalewski Atalanta's Goal of the Month in February after his strike against Lazio.
Atalanta Dominates Chances in Second Period
The home side nearly doubled the advantage seven minutes later when Bernasconi delivered a cross from the left, but Athletic defender Berchiche scrambled back to clear for a corner. Sarri rotated his squad liberally, giving minutes to fringe players and testing different combinations in midfield and attack.
Athletic's best chance to equalize came in the 69th minute when Adama whipped a dangerous ball across the six-yard box from the left flank, but Sannadi arrived a fraction too late with his sliding attempt. Late pressure from the visitors nearly produced a dramatic leveler in the 86th minute, as Canales lifted a pass from Djalò over the crossbar from the edge of the area. In stoppage time, Navarro fired a central shot following a driving run by Johaneko, but Atalanta held firm.
Thomas Kristensen, the club's newly signed defender, remained on the bench throughout the 90 minutes, suggesting Sarri is managing his integration into the squad carefully ahead of competitive fixtures.
Sarri's Pre-Season Project Takes Shape
The victory concludes Atalanta's pre-season preparations under Sarri, who was appointed on June 15 and began full training sessions on July 9 at the Centro Bortolotti in Zingonia. The extended preparation period has allowed Sarri to implement his possession-based approach and tactical system with a squad that finished in the top half of Serie A last season.
Zalewski's versatility and work rate have made him a key part of those plans. The 24-year-old Polish winger, signed from Roma on an August 18, 2025 deal running through June 2029, contributed 2 goals and 4 assists in 33 Serie A appearances last term, earning a solid 7.01 average rating on FotMob. His performance in this friendly underscores his importance to Sarri's tactical vision for the upcoming campaign.
What This Means for Supporters
For Atalanta fans planning their schedules, the club has announced an open training session on Monday, August 17, at Zingonia, offering a final opportunity to see the squad before competitive action resumes. The Conference League play-off first leg takes place on August 20, with the return leg on August 27, sandwiching the Serie A opener at Sassuolo on August 23.
The Bortolotti trophy, named for Achille and Cesare Bortolotti, who served as club presidents from 1970 to 1990, has become a reliable fixture in Atalanta's pre-season calendar. This 27th edition provided a stern test against a La Liga opponent preparing for its own domestic season, and the result will provide a confidence boost as Sarri's tactical work transitions from training ground to competitive intensity.
Bilbao's Final Preparations Before Sevilla Opener
For Athletic Bilbao, the loss in Bergamo concluded a European tour designed to sharpen fitness and tactical cohesion. The Basque club returns home to face Sevilla on August 22 before a postponed first-round fixture against FC Barcelona on August 27 and a trip to Celta on August 30.
The defeat exposed some defensive vulnerabilities that coach Ernesto Valverde will be eager to address before meaningful points are on the line. Athletic's attack, reliant on quick combinations and wide play, created opportunities but lacked the cutting edge to capitalize against a well-drilled Atalanta backline.
With both clubs now shifting focus to official competition, this friendly served its purpose: final tactical adjustments, player evaluations, and fitness checks before the stakes rise. For Atalanta, the signs are promising. Sarri's system is taking root, Zalewski continues to deliver in key moments, and the defensive structure held firm against a quality opponent. The real test, of course, begins next week.
