Athletic Club reignited their UEFA Champions League qualification hopes with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory away to Atalanta, ending a long wait for success on Italian soil and climbing into the top 24 of the league standings.
Ernesto Valverde’s side arrived in Bergamo under pressure, knowing only a positive result would keep their campaign alive. They nearly made a perfect start inside the opening minute, but Gorka Guruzeta failed to convert a clear early opportunity.
Atalanta quickly took control of the contest and opened the scoring midway through the first half when Gianluca Scamacca rose highest to meet Nicola Zalewski’s cross, ending his five-game goal drought with a powerful header past Unai Simón.
The hosts pushed for a second, with Lorenzo Bernasconi curling narrowly wide, Scamacca having another effort ruled out for offside, and Charles De Ketelaere striking the woodwork as Athletic struggled to contain Atalanta’s attacking pressure.
Despite their subdued first-half performance, Athletic emerged with renewed belief after the interval. Their breakthrough came in the 56th minute when Guruzeta finished calmly after a clever exchange involving Robert Navarro, scoring the club’s first Champions League goal since Matchday 3.
Momentum shifted dramatically in Athletic’s favour, and substitute Nico Serrano made an immediate impact just 20 minutes from time, volleying home Navarro’s cross at the back post to put the visitors ahead.
Navarro then capped a standout performance four minutes later, converting after being played through by Oihan Sancet to seemingly seal the victory. However, Atalanta set up a tense finale when Nikola Krstovic pulled a goal back in the 88th minute following a pass from Ademola Lookman.
Athletic held firm through the closing moments to secure only their third away win of the season against top-flight opposition, breathing new life into their European campaign. Atalanta, meanwhile, slipped out of the top eight as their three-match winning run in the competition came to an end.
