Atalanta vs Hapoel Tel Aviv – Scalvini forced off with early injured

BERGAMO, ITALY - AUGUST 24: Giorgio Scalvini looks dejected during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Pisa SC at Gewiss Stadium on August 24, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Maurizio Sarri’s Atalanta era got underway on Thursday evening, with the Bergamo side hosting Hapoel Tel Aviv in the first leg of their Conference League play-off at the New Balance Arena.

It’s Atalanta’s first official fixture of the season and represents the club’s opening test in Europe before Sunday’s Serie A curtain-raiser against Sassuolo, with the winner of this tie securing direct entry into the competition’s league phase.

Scalvini forced off early in Atalanta Conference League clash

Sarri’s first setback of the campaign arrived inside the opening half-hour, with Giorgio Scalvini forced off after just 26 minutes.

He was replaced by Thomas Kristensen, who was making his full debut for the club having arrived as one of Atalanta’s most recent signings, his first appearance in both the competition and the Nerazzurri shirt coming under unwanted circumstances.

The nature and severity of the issue is still being assessed, with more details expected once the club provides an update after the match.