La Gazzetta dello Sport 

Inter gets a shake-up

Scudetto, and then there will be a revolution

The club wants a side with more characters, even Barella and Bastoni up for discussion. And, on the market place, Kone and Vicario primary objectives 

Milan’s plans for the Champions League

Kean for the attack

Italy sink 

Our sides a disaster in the Champions League

No team reaches the quarter-finals. The bottom  of the barrel. Look how many points they’ve suffered: The reasons behind the crisis 

Real lessons 

Super Valverde (three goals) to overwhelm City

Rino, you think about it 

The locations of the training bases have already been chosen: Toronto and then Utah 

It’s Bologna-Roma. Gasp plays for a lot, Italiano for everything 

And in the Conference, Fiorentina take on Rakow 

Corriere dello Sport 

A place for one 

The Euroleague derby 

At the Dall’Ara (17.45) the first of two battles for a spot in the quarter-finals

Bologna with Castro, Roma have SuperMalen 

A route to the Champions League also comes up in this competition: One of Italiano or Gasp could save the honor of Italian football

Valverde humiliates Pep 

Champions League: City overwhelmed with three goals from the Uruguayan 

Guardiola, what a lesson in Madrid. Donnarumma saves a penalty from Vinicis (3-0). Psg, five against Chelsea, brace from Kvara (5-2), Arsenal save themselves in Leverkusen (1-1), Bodo continue to amaze: Sporting also capitulate in Norway (3-0)

Fiorentina, the uncomfortable cup 

Survival is the most important thing, but need to get past Rakow in the Conference League to save any further embarrassments 

Spalletti, here’s Vlahovic again 

Returning in Udine 

Dusan back after three months. Senesi intrigue: Juve are also there 

Conte, Mister 600 

He has 597 points in Serie A

Could reach a landmark figure in Napoli-Lecce 

Inter, Alisson or Vicario 

Goalkeepers in the distance 

Sommer heading for farewell: The replacement will arrive from the Premier League

Iran, no World Cup 

The announcement from the minister 

‘The conditions are not there’. Infantino’s gaffe 

Tuttosport 

Juve, the bonus Vlahovic 

DV9 returns in Udine: They need his goals for the Champions League comeback and the new contract … 

Dusan scores right away in a training match: After 105 days of absence, he will start again from the bench, but everyone is waiting for him on the pitch. Contacts over his renewal are intensifying: The salary reaches 6 million with bonuses and objectives, Spalletti lifts the tension. Boga sees himself as a starter, more doubts in goal: And for the future, looking at Martinez from Villa. Inquiry for Lewandowski

The war affects the World Cup. Iran forfeit

The consequence of the conflict and FIFA’s embarrassment 

From Tehran: ‘We can’t play in the United States like this’. The logic would be to replace them with another Asian side (Iraq or the UAE), but with fears of other renunciations, a decision based on overall ranking can’t be ruled out. Sport in Palestine: The Italian parliament writes to the IOC and FIFA. Meanwhile, Verratti is out: Gattuso puts the trust in Locatelli and thinks about Pisilli

Valverde, Real magic. PSG, what a spectacle! 

Fantasy hat-trick from the Uruguayan, City destroyed 

Chelse\ hold them off in Paris, but then Vitinha and the brace from Kvara make it 5-2. Fantastic Bodo: 3-0 against Sporting, looking at the quarter-finals and history 

Bologna and Roma to feel like we’re in Europe 

At 17.45: The derby in the round of 16. Italiano: ‘We want to get through to the end’. Gasp: ‘I’m not thinking about Como.’. Conference League: Fiorentina-Rakow 

D’Aversa studies Serie B and … Juric 

The Serbian’s return looms over safety. The scathing letter from Marengo to Cairo 

Remo Freuler could be Bologna’s secret weapon in the Europa League meeting with Roma. ‘I know how Gian Piero Gasperini plays off by heart.’

The first leg of this Round of 16 tie kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Thursday at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET).

It is safe to say the two teams have few surprises in store, considering this is an all-Italian derby on the UEFA stage, but some are even more tuned in.

Gasperini and Freuler are old friends

Freuler made 254 appearances under Roma coach Gasperini when they worked together at Atalanta from 2016 to 2022, scoring 20 goals and providing 23 assists.

“I know how Gasperini plays off by heart, even if he too has changed some things in his style over recent years,” Freuler told Sky Sport Italia.

“The foundations are still more or less the same, and I will be very happy to see him again tomorrow.”

Gasperini is keeping a few decisions to the last minute, and now uses two players in the trequartista role supporting a centre-forward, especially as there are so many injuries in attack.

“I know the adjustments he makes too, whether he plays with three upfront or an extra midfielder, I know the thoughts he has in his mind. We’ll see what happens.”

Freuler left Atalanta in 2022 for Nottingham Forest, but returned within a year to Serie A, where he is enjoying a new lease of life with Bologna.

This means he had already departed by the time Atalanta won the Europa League trophy, but he did experience some European success there.

“I remember how we danced after the game against Shakhtar Donetsk, when we qualified for the Champions League Round of 16. I still feel that joy, just as I do our super rapport both on and off the field,” said the Switzerland international.

“The first leg is always an important result so we can go into the decider with confidence. We want to keep going in the Europa League.

“Unfortunately, we picked Roma in the draw, who with all due respect to the others are more difficult to play against than KRC Genk.”

Davide Massa has been assigned to the Como vs. Roma Serie A fight for fourth place, while Gianluca Manganiello gets Inter-Atalanta, but Daniele Doveri drops to Serie B after the Derby della Madonnina.

The AIA (Italian Referees Association) has confirmed the referees chosen for this weekend’s Serie A matches.

The biggest game of the round is arguably the showdown for Champions League qualification, as Como and Roma are locked together in the table and go head-to-head at the Stadio Sinigaglia on Sunday.

That has been handed to experienced official Massa.

Leaders Inter try to get back on track against Atalanta, which will be officiated by Gianluca Manganiello in another top seven duel.

Notably, there is no Serie A fixture this weekend for Doveri after his work in the Derby della Madonnina, but this does not mean it is a demotion.

Instead, he is trusted with the extremely difficult and important Serie B promotion clash between Monza and Palermo, which could prove decisive for who gets to be in the top flight next season.

Serie A Week 29 referees

Torino vs. Parma (Maresca, VAR Ghersini)

Inter vs. Atalanta (Manganiello, VAR Gariglio)

Napoli vs. Lecce (Abisso, VAR Nasca)

Udinese vs. Juventus (Mariani, VAR Maggioni)

Verona vs. Genoa (Marchetti, VAR Marini)

Pisa vs. Cagliari (La Penna, VAR Paterna)

Sassuolo vs. Bologna (Bonacina, VAR Serra)

Como vs. Roma (Massa, VAR Fabbri)

Lazio vs. Milan (Guida, VAR Chiffi)

Cremonese vs. Fiorentina (Di Bello, VAR Aureliano)

Yunus Musah says Atalanta players are ‘grateful’ for the support they received last night despite a 6-1 home loss against Bayern Munich.

Atalanta, the only Serie A side remaining in the Champions League Round of 16, are practically out of the competition already having suffered a 6-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Musah reacts to Atalanta 1-6 Bayern Munich

Despite the heavy result and despite Bayern scoring three goals in the opening 25 minutes, the home crowd never stopped supporting the players and continued chanting for the team after the final whistle.

“It’s like this every week. They are very good supporters and fans. Always behind the team,” Musah told CBS Sports.

“You can really feel like ‘this is Bergamo.’ The whole of Bergamo comes to support us in the stadium, every game. The fans are amazing here. We are really grateful for the support they showed us today. This is what they are like every week. We really appreciate our supporters.

“It’s always special to take part in these Champions League games,” the USMNT international continued.

“We had a lot of hope before the game, but unfortunately, Bayern have so much quality, and the game escaped us from the beginning to the end.”

Watch the full interview below.

“The whole of Bergamo comes to support us… We’re really grateful.”

Yunus Musah on the special support Atalanta receive their fans pic.twitter.com/6xwoc1ycbu

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 11, 2026

La Gazzetta dello Sport examines Atalanta’s 6-1 loss to Bayern Munich, calling it ‘an embarrassment for Serie A and Italian football.’

Atalanta, the last Serie A club remaining in the Champions League, suffered a humiliating 6-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich last night in the Round of 16 first leg.

Fabio Capello noted that the result was a “lesson” for Italian football, and Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Luigi Garlando had exactly the same feeling.

Atalanta’s huge defeat an ’embarrassment for Serie A and Italian football’

“In the last Champions League, the last Italian team remaining, Inter, conceded five goals in the Final in Munich. This year, the last one to go out, Atalanta, conceded six at home against the team from Munich,” the journalist wrote.

“There’s no point beating around the bush. It wasn’t just an embarrassment for Atalanta. First and foremost, it was an embarrassment for Serie A and Italian football.”

Juventus and Inter were eliminated in the knockout play-off, while Napoli didn’t even go beyond the league phase.

“The defending Serie A champions, Napoli, finished in 39th in the league phase. The current league leaders, Inter, were knocked out before the Round of 16 by the honest but hardly galactic Bodo/Glimt,” continued Garlando.

“Add that to Norway’s aggregate 7-1 win over Italy, draw a line, and do the math: this is who we are.”

Italy will play in Bergamo in just two weeks, hosting Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semifinal.

“The good part, so to speak, is that in 15 days, in this very stadium, our national team will face Northern Ireland to try to avert a third Apocalypse,” Garlando sadly concluded.

“If Gattuso was hoping for a morale boost from our top clubs in Europe, he didn’t get it.”

Ex-Italian coach Fabio Capello says Atalanta were ‘fortunate’ to only concede six goals against Bayern Munich: ‘This is a lesson for Italian football.’

Atalanta, the only Serie A side to have qualified for the Champions League Round of 16, suffered a heavy 6-1 home loss against Bayern Munich last night.

Capello: Atalanta’s humiliation ‘a lesson’ for Italian football

“I saw a team that pressed and ran, with everyone showing impressive quality, in vision and possession,” Capello told Sky Sport via TMW.

“Every time Bayern won the ball back, they went straight forward and sprinted into space. With that kind of technique, they clearly put Atalanta in trouble.

“Atalanta were actually fortunate to concede only six goals. It could have been many more, and the goalkeeper made some good saves as well. This is a lesson for Italian football. Atalanta were the only Italian side to qualify for the Round of 16 and had beaten Borussia Dortmund, but they didn’t stand a chance against the top German team.”

• Read more – Player ratings: Atalanta 1-6 Bayern Munich – Olise teaches La Dea a lesson

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Dea nightmare, too much Bayern

Never in the game, but the fans applaud

Milan, my love

San Siro acclaims him, the team wants a bis, and Luka takes the Ballon d’Or at the Devil’s home. Chasing a No.9: Now Kean tops the list

The goal has disappeared

No Serie A goals: 62 goals less than last season

Trezeguet: ‘I watch Juventus for Yildiz only, I expected more from Vlahovic.’

Dumfries’ cure: back as a starter after 125 days

Corriere dello Sport

Rocchi’s certainties

‘It was a penalty, it wasn’t a penalty.’

Damage for Roma, Milan-Inter correct.

Malinovskyi? The double touch doesn’t justify the lack of a penalty for the Giallorossi. Ricci’s handball was assessed correctly.

Spalletti and Juve, renewal and five coups

Napoli, Conte finds McT again

Lazio, strike blocked for 90 minutes

Too much Bayern for Dea

Kompany’s team dominates: 3-0 after 25 minutes. Goals from Stanisic, Olise (2), Gnabry, Jackson Musiala and Pasalic. Tottenham crushed 52- by Atletico Madrid; Tudor’s disaster. He preferred Kinsky to Vicario, then replaced him at minute 17.

Tuttosport

Bayern’s walk in the park; our Champions League is already over

Dea shock! Europe smashes us

Spalletti’s list

Juve of the future: six reinforcements plus a goalkeeper

Kolo for the attack, Ederson and Goretzka in central midfield, Pellegrini as an attacking midfielder, Celik on the wings, and Senesi in defence: here are the main targets identified by the coach for a step forward, but there are other names too: a high-level alternative between the sticks (Vicario sounded out). Lucio considers Nico Gonzalez’s return from Madrid. Fenerbahce on Openda. Even Gatti can be sacrificed for the finances.

Reds flop, tragicomic Tottenham for Tudor

Zapata’s clause, Toro can terminate the contract.

Raffaele Palladino admits that the difference in quality of players is the main reason behind Atalanta’s 6-1 hammering by Bayern Munich in the Champions League, but insists that he would stick with the same system if he were to hypothetically play the same game again.

Atalanta were thumped 6-1 on home soil by a dominant and ruthless Bayern side in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie in Bergamo on Tuesday night: Josip Stanisic, Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Nicolas Jackson, Jamal Musiala and Mario Pasalic with the goals. 

• Read more: Atalanta 1-6 Bayern Munich: Player ratings!

Click here to see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Palladino reacts to Atalanta 6-1 Bayern Munich 

Atalanta were vastly outclassed by their Bundesliga opponents on the night, but Palladino insists that his players will learn from this experience and become better as players and as a team because of it. 

“Firstly let’s congratulate Bayern. A very strong team, at times they were truly unplayable,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia after full-time. “For us, the best player was our fans. I want to thank them. They cheered us on until the very end despite the defeat.

“It’s an experience that will make us grow. I would go about it in the same way if we were to play again. If we got here, to the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia and are fighting in the league, it’s because of the mentality and therefore I would play like this again.”

Atalanta will be hoping to bounce back in Serie A this weekend, but they face another tough task there with a trip to San Siro to take on league leaders Inter on Saturday. 

“The team has always reacted well to defeats and we will react as early as Saturday,” said Palladino. “We’re facing a strong team again in Inter, but I’ve told the team that they have to accept the result and recover their energy.”

And returning to the topic of the Bayern defeat, Palladino said: “We dropped off in the second half. They dribble at you and have these incredibly strong wingers. They’re a team that’s destined to go all the way, but having said that, I’m happy with the team, which sweated until the end. And again, I’d like to thank the fans.” 

Palladino insists that he will not move away from Atalanta’s man-to-man system, even if it was part of their downfall against Bayern. 

“We expected them to put us in a difficult spot, with their strong players up front and their attacks from deep. We accept their qualities and strengths. We’ve come this far because we’ve had this mentality and we won’t change that. We won’t defend zonally, we accept the result and either we win or we learn.

“I’ve never seen players with these qualities, They really impressed me. They always gave it to players on their preferred foot and at the right speed. You can try and play deep, but they will still hurt you all the same.

“We had four big absences, we didn’t have many players up front and we preferred to stay the same after the game against Udinese over the weekend.

“We were never able to restart properly. They had aggression and immediately won the ball back. We’ve come this far because we have this mentality after beating Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund. Aside from the system, the difference is in the players.”

Michael Olise was the star of the show as Bayern Munich hit Atalanta for six in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 first leg on Tuesday evening. 

La Dea were utterly outclassed by their Bundesliga opponents in Bergamo on Tuesday night and a late consolation goal from Mario Pasalic will not count for much following the earlier strikes from Josip Stanisic, Olise (x2), Serge Gnabry, Nicolas Jackson and Jamal Musiala. 

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog. 

Atalanta 1-6 Bayern Munich: Player ratings!

Atalanta: Carnesecchi 5; Zappacosta 6 (Bellanova 6), Hien 4, Kolasinac 4 (Ahanor 5), Bernasconi 4; Sulemana 5.5 (Samardzic 5), De Roon 5, Pasalic 5.5 (Musah 5), Krstovic 5, Scamacca 5 (Djimsiti 5.5). 

Best Atalanta player: Zappacosta 6 – Despite the scoreline and despite being part of a back four that had conceded three times within the first 25 minutes, it was a fairly solid showing from Zappacosta on an individual level. The experienced Dea wing-back was a handful on the right flank, provided a couple of decent balls into the area and also helped out defensively, including a good header to clear an awkward cross behind for a corner in the first half. 

Worst Atalanta player: Bernasconi 4 – That’s a night the young Atalanta wing-back will want to forget in a hurry. Utterly outclassed and often completely helpless up against Olise and the Italian will be relieved that the Bayern winger is now suspended for the return leg next week. 

Atalanta coach: Raffaele Palladino 3 – The Dea tactician got it all completely wrong with his team and tactical selections. Not helped by the absences of Ederson, Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori, but still, the decision to switch to a back four in order to ‘match’ Bayern was a decision that did not work, and was one that the coach had to use two substitutes to fix at half-time. It seemed like Atalanta were so focused on their defence, which collapsed three times within the first 25 minutes, that they didn’t really have much of a plan any time they did find themselves on the ball. 

Bayern: Urbig 6; Stanisic 6, Upamecano 6.5, Tah 6.5, Laimer 6 (Davies 6, Bischof 6), Kimmich 6.5, Pavlovic 6.5 (Goretzka 6); Olise 9, Gnabry 8 (Musiala 7), Diaz 7; Jackson 7.5. 

Best Bayern player: Olise 9 – Vincent Kompany has a special, special player on his hands with the French winger, who struck complete fear into the Atalanta defence any time he got on the ball on Tuesday night. It felt like La Dea were completely powerless to stop the France international at times, especially coming in off the right flank and onto that magical left foot of his. 

Worst Bayern player: Bischof 6 – It feels wrong to criticise any of the Bayern players after such a convincing performance, individually and collectively. But the German youngster missed a challenge and then failed to track back for Atalanta’s late consolation goal, which shouldn’t have been the case just 20 minutes after his introduction. In fairness to him, he can’t have been expecting to play after Alphonso Davies was brought on at half-time. 

Bayern coach: Vincent Kompany 8 – A brilliant, dominant and ruthless display from the Bavarian giants. Fielding Gnabry over Musiala brought an element of unpredictability to the Bayern attack, and Atalanta’s man-to-man system seemed to be of little difficulty to Kompany’s side. If anything, it seemed to help them. And they did it all without talisman Harry Kane as well. An impressive display, even if Atalanta were nowhere near the levels they needed to be to compete.

Atalanta were outclassed and humiliated on home soil as Bayern Munich stuck six goals past them in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie in Bergamo on Tuesday night: Josip Stanisic, Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Nicolas Jackson and Jamal Musiala and Mario Pasalic with the goals. 

Atalanta pulled out a miraculous escape against Bundesliga opposition in Borussia Dortmund in the play-off rounds in order to qualify for this evening’s clash against Bayern, who finished second in the league phase and qualified for this stage of the competition automatically as a result.

There were a few surprising selections as Raffaele Palladino switched to a back four and deployed both Gianluca Scamacca and Nikola Krstovic in attack. Ederson, Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori were unavailable through injury and Giorgio Scalvini through suspension. Bayern, meanwhile, left Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala out of their starting line-up, but were still able to deploy an attacking unit of Olise, Gnabry, Luis Diaz and Jackson. 

Click here to see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

It was an intense start after kick-off in Bergamo, and despite Atalanta dispossessing their opponents in their own half twice within the opening minutes, it was Bayern who registered the first shot on target through Olise. 

Bayern continued to put their foot on the throttle early on and found the opener in the 12th minute. It was a quick corner routine that gave them the lead: Atalanta switched off for the briefest of moments and were punished. Olise’s corner went short to Gnabry, who squared it to Stanisic to tap in. 

The Bavarians doubled their advantage 10 minutes later with an Olise special. 

The Frenchman cut in off the right flank, took a few touches to set himself on his wonderful left foot and dispatched a curling effort right into the side netting in the far corner of the net. 

Things went from bad to worse for La Dea when Gnabry added a third less than five minutes later. 

Goalkeeper Urbig went long over the top, Olise did brilliantly to bring the ball under control and slip it to Gnabry, who raced into the area and dispatched past Carnesecchi with ease when one-on-one. 

Bayern, away from home and not even at the halfway stage of the first leg, were not content with a three-goal lead and continued to send in the warning shots. 

Jackson should have done better one-on-one with Carnesecchi, Gnabry clipped the crossbar and Dayot Upamecano was inexplicably given acres of space in the middle of the park to line up a shot, which fortunately went wide, all before the interval. 

Bayern picked up where they left off at the beginning of the second half. Nicola Zalewski fired a free-kick into the Bavarian’s wall in the 52nd minute, which allowed Kompany’s side to spring a counter-attack and finish through Jackson one-on-one. 

Olise added his second of the game with another special finish off that magical left boot of his. It was a similar move to his first, again off the right flank, and again, perfectly into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area. 

Bayern hit Atalanta for six with their next attack of the game. Jackson found himself out on the right flank, danced past his defender and supplied a cross into the six-yard box for Musiala to poke home. 

Bayern could have had one or two more before full-time as well: Upamecano came closest with his header that bounced off the upright.

Mario Pasalic gave the Atalanta supporters a brief cheer in injury time with a late consolation goal. Raoul Bellanova did well travelling down the right flank and provided a decent ball into the middle. Krstovic and Urbig collided in the middle, but the ball fell kindly for the Croatian to poke home.

Atalanta will still have to travel to Bavaria to take on Bayern in the second leg of this tie next weekend, but after Tuesday’s hammering, this now seems an unfortunate formality for La Dea. 

Atalanta 0-6 Bayern Munich

Stanisic 12′, Olise 22′, 64′, Gnabry 25′, Jackson 52′, Musiala 67′, Pasalic 90+3′.

Harry Kane is not fit enough to start for Bayern Munich against Atalanta in Tuesday night’s Champions League round of 16 first leg in Bergamo, as Raffaele Palladino turns to Gianluca Scamacca and Nikola Krstovic in a two-man attack for La Dea. 

You can follow the action as it unfolds on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Atalanta are the only Italian side left standing in the Champions League in 2025-26 following the elimination of Juventus and Inter in the play-off round and the exit of Napoli at the end of the league phase. 

La Dea miraculously overcame Bundesliga opposition in Borussia Dortmund in the play-off round in order to qualify for tonight’s round of 16 tie against Bayern, who finished second in the league phase and qualified for this stage of the competition automatically. 

Kick-off this evening is due at 20.00 GMT. 

The second leg of this fixture will be played in just over a week’s time, on Wednesday, March 18. 

Atalanta are without several key first-team players through injury on Tuesday night, including Ederson, Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori. Giorgio Scalvini was sent off in the chaotic final minutes of Atalanta’s victory over Dortmund in the play-off second leg, so misses out through suspension tonight. 

Palladino turns to Scamacca and Krstovic to lead the attack in tandem against Bayern. The Dea system appears to be a 4-4-2 with Marten De Roon and Mario Pasalic in central midfield and Kamaldeen Sulemana and Nikola Zalewski out wide. 

There had been some doubts over the fitness of England national team captain Harry Kane, who was left out of Bayern’s squad for their 4-1 Bundesliga win over Borussia Moenchengladbach over the weekend. He is not fit enough to start and is replaced by Nicolas Jackson. 

Manuel Neuer and Alphonso Davies are still unavailable through injury, so Jonas Urbig starts in goal and Konrad Laimer at left-back for Vincent Kompany’s side. 

Serge Gnabry is also chosen to start ahead of Jamal Musiala.

Confirmed Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich line-ups 

Atalanta (4-4-2): Carnesecchi; Zappacosta, Hien, Kolasinac, Bernasconi; Sulemana, De Roon, Pasalic, Zalewski; Scamacca, Krstovic.

Bayern (4-2-3-1):Urbig; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Jackson.

10-03-2026 20:00

1/8 Final

Gewiss Stadium (Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia)

Atalanta

Bayern

1 - 6

Player statistic

1st half

		12'		Josip Stanisic (Assist: Serge Gnabry)
		22'		Michael Olise (Assist: Dayot Upamecano)
		25'		Serge Gnabry (Assist: Michael Olise)
		39'		Konrad Laimer

2nd half

		52'		Nicolas Jackson (Assist: Luis Díaz)
		64'		Michael Olise (Assist: Alphonso Davies)
		67'		Jamal Musiala (Assist: Nicolas Jackson)
		77'		Michael Olise
Yunus Musah		83'
		84'		Joshua Kimmich
Mario Pasalic		90+3'

Match statistic

31

Possession %

69

11

Total shots

25

3

Shots on target

13

4

Shots off target

8

4

Blocked shots

4

2

Corners

7

1

Offsides

1

11

Fouls

11

Atalanta

Bayern

Starting lineups

29

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

77

Davide Zappacosta

Defender

67'

4

Isak Hien

Defender

47

Lorenzo Bernasconi

Defender

23

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

55'

7

Kamaldeen Sulemana

Midfielder

73'

8

Mario Pasalic

Midfielder

15

Marten de Roon

Midfielder

59

Nicola Zalewski

Midfielder

55'

9

Gianluca Scamacca

Attacker

46'

90

Nikola Krstovic

Attacker

40

Jonas Urbig

Goalkeeper

2

Dayot Upamecano

Defender

4

Jonathan Tah

Defender

6

Joshua Kimmich

Defender

44

Josip Stanisic

Defender

86'

45

Aleksandar Pavlovic

Midfielder

68'

27

Konrad Laimer

Midfielder

46'

17

Michael Olise

Midfielder

14

Luis Díaz

Attacker

11

Nicolas Jackson

Attacker

7

Serge Gnabry

Attacker

46'

Substitutes

31

Francesco Rossi

Goalkeeper

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

5

Mitchel Bakker

Defender

3

Odilon Kossounou

Defender

48

Federico Cassa

Midfielder

45

Dominic Vavassori

Midfielder

19

Berat Djimsiti

Defender

46'

6

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

55'

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

55'

16

Raoul Bellanova

Defender

67'

10

Lazar Samardžić

Midfielder

73'

9

Harry Kane

Attacker

26

Sven Ulreich

Goalkeeper

3

Min-jae Kim

Defender

42

Lennart Karl

Midfielder

37

Leonard Prescott

10

Jamal Musiala

Midfielder

46'

8

Leon Goretzka

Midfielder

68'

19

Alphonso Davies

Defender

20

Tom Bischof

Midfielder

71'

22

Raphaël Guerreiro

Defender

86'

German Karl-Heinz Rummenigge tells Bayern Munich they should not underestimate Atalanta in their Champions League Round of 16 meeting tonight: ‘Many big clubs have made the same mistake.’

Atalanta, the only Serie A club remaining in the Champions League, will host Bayern Munich at the New Balance Arena in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 tonight.

Rummenigge: ‘No more easy games’ in the Champions League

Rummenigge, a former Bayern Munich and Inter star and now a member of the Supervisory Board of the Bundesliga giants, told Gazzetta: “The important thing is not to make the same mistake many big clubs have made in the Champions League: being favourites and ending up losing. Like Manchester City against Bodo, or Borussia. A year ago, we won 2-1 away in Glasgow in the play-off first leg, then we were losing in the return leg, and we levelled the score in the final minutes to qualify. It’s a mistake that is often made. The public opinion believes it’s an easy game, but there are no more games like this.”

Atalanta already eliminated Borussia Dortmund from the Champions League knockout play-off, coming back from two goals down to secure a 4-3 aggregate win, thanks to a 4-1 win in the return leg.

“No, I didn’t expect it. Nobody should be underestimated this season,” Rummenigge continued.

“Even the so-called small teams are doing well. Nobody thought Bodo/Glimt would eliminate Inter. They won the first leg, and everyone thought the result would have changed in the return leg. On the other hand, they even won at San Siro. Those who have qualified for the Round of 16 should not be underestimated.

“Atalanta is a small team that must be respected; in the past, they also beat Bayer Leverkusen, so they must be respected in all aspects. And remember what we saw against Borussia,” he continued.

“They could have conceded even more goals in the first leg, and nobody in Germany thought Dortmund could be eliminated. In this phase of the Champions League, you need humility, respect, and focus to move forward. Bayern certainly want to do so. We are having a very good season, as we are still running in all competitions.”

Rummenigge knows Atlanta well, on and off the pitch.

“They should not be underestimated, and I also like the club’s organisation. I’ve met the Percassi family, and I like the way they see football,” he said.

“They manage the club calmly and don’t go under pressure. They were also lucky to have picked Gasperini, who has played a great role in Atalanta’s success. Winning the Europa League is not normal, and I’m not just talking about the results, but also the quality of football. I see that also his successor, Palladino, is doing really well. In today’s football, you need the quality of the team, but also a quality coach, also on a human aspect.”

The winner of Atalanta-Bayern Munich will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, and Rummenigge has clear ideas about the team he’d like to face in the quarter-finals.

“I hope my friend Pep Guardiola will go through, but I have great respect for Real Madrid in the second part of the season. Usually, from February, you see another Real. When the decisive games arrive, Real is always Real,” he concluded.

Bologna winger Federico Bernardeschi reveals Gian Piero Gasperini wanted to bring him to Atalanta in 2022 when he eventually joined Toronto FC from Juventus: ‘ I admit money influenced my decision for 80%.’

Bologna winger Bernardeschi released an interview with Gazzetta just a few days before the Rossoblu’s Europa League meeting with Roma in the Europa League Round of 16.

Bernardeschi returned to Serie A last summer after spending three years at Toronto FC.

Bernardeschi: ‘No easy games’ in Serie A

“I’ve found a different Serie A football; now even the smaller teams are more equipped; technology is helping everyone, and everyone is organised,” the Italian said.

“There’s never an easy game, at any level, from race for survival to Europe.”

The first leg between Roma and Bologna will be played at the Dall’Ara this coming Thursday, but the Giallorossi will be without Paulo Dybala, a former teammate of Bernardeschi at Juventus.

“I’m sorry for Paulo, I’d have been happy to challenge him, even if it’s always better not to play against his left foot,” admitted Bernardeschi.

“But I’ll be glad to see many Azzurri friends. When I joined Juventus, I asked if I could get the no. 10. They said I was too young and should have waited a year. Then Dybala took it, who was already in his third year. I would have preferred to face a foreign club, because, as an Italian, I’d have been happier to see two Italian teams go as far as possible.”

Bernardeschi’s move to Bologna raised eyebrows over the summer, with some in the media suggesting he was no longer suitable for Italian football after such a long spell in Canada.

Bernardeschi, on the other hand, has scored five goals and provided one assist in 32 appearances and has never had doubts about his ability to make an impact at the Dall’Ara.

“I know myself. I didn’t go to Canada to take a walk in the park,” he said.

“I put maximum commitment into everything I do, even if I admit money influenced my decision for 80%, and the remaining 20% was a life choice. I’ve always trained and cared for my body meticulously. I’ve learned from Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus how to be a professional in all aspects and be a great professional. In Bologna, I took a month to readjust. I suffered a knee injury and was forced to skip pre-season. But my physical figures were high in the MLS, and I knew I was competitive.”

Bernardeschi could have even played under Gasperini at Atalanta.

“He called me before moving to Toronto, and I was tempted, but then I made a different choice. I don’t regret it, but I would have loved to work with him; I knew I could add a piece to my career,” the winger concluded.

“Roma looked for me when I was at Juventus, but I said no. I was happy in Turin, and I still have a house there, where I’m Yildiz’s neighbour.”

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, March 10, 2026, page 24.

Gianluca Scamacca’s Atalanta host Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo for the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 tonight.

It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT). Atalanta are the only Serie A side remaining in Europe’s elite competition.

Juventus and Inter were eliminated in the knockout play-off, while Napoli didn’t even finish the league phase in the top 24, facing elimination after the opening eight matches.

Atalanta must cope without the injured Ederson, Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori, while Giorgio Scalvini is suspended.

Therefore, as reported by Gazzetta, Marten De Roon and Mario Pasalic will start in the middle of the park, while Lazar Samardzic and Nicola Zalewski will be the attacking midfielders for La Dea.

Bayern Munich star Kane has recovered from a minor injury and will start up front for the Germans.

Manuel Neuer, however, is unavailable, so second-choice goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, 22, will get the nod between the sticks for the Germans.

Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast on TNT Sports 2 in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a live blog.

Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich – probable line-ups

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Pasalic, Bernasconi; Samardzic, Zalewski; Scamacca. 

Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Urbig; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Musiala, Diaz; Kane. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport

La Dea, play for all.

Champions League Round of 16: Super Bayern arrive, but Atalanta have hope.

Rummenigge: ‘Hot stadium, they must be respected.’

Max trust

Cardinale ties Allegri down and launches Milan’s comeback.

Inter, magnificent +7

Thuram and Dumfries are ready for Saturday, and Luis Henrique pays.

Fourth spot? Take it with goals

Corriere dello Sport

Juve and Roma out!

Champions League Surprise, Como favourite.

Fixture list and head-to-head, find out Opta’s predictions.

10 games to go and still 18 big games. Gasperini visits Fabregas on Sunday. Spalletti from the risk of -7 to the idea of overcoming. Cesc has 37.78% of chance, Lucio 34.57% and Gian Piero 33.91%.

Napoli, another De Brune is back

Pistilli climbs: Gattuso studies him

Lazio’s redemption: decisive Marusic.

Chivu’s therapy, Scudetto to Inter

Confrontation between Cristian and the team yesterday. From +7 to the silence for Ricci’s handball.

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Scamacca against Kane. Palladino’s charge: ‘We want another magical night’

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Raffaele Palladino expects a ‘magical’ Champions League night against Bayern Munich, assuring Atalanta ‘don’t want to set limits on ourselves, all Italians are cheering us on.’

The first leg kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo on Tuesday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

La Dea are the only remaining Italian representatives in the Champions League and face a daunting task against German giants Bayern Munich.

Atalanta ready to dream big in Champions League

“Tomorrow will be a magical, wonderful night for us, as it’s a dream to be in the Champions League last 16 against one of the strongest teams in the world,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia.

“Dreams are there to be experienced. We want to enjoy it to the full and cause difficulties for Bayern. We are playing at home, so can repeat the performance against Borussia Dortmund.”

Atalanta certainly have a strong record with German opponents, going back to winning the Europa League trophy by crushing the then-unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Final.

In the Champions League play-offs last month, they overturned a 2-0 first leg deficit to eliminate Borussia Dortmund with a 4-1 success in Bergamo.

“Being the only Italian in the Champions League is a nice feeling, we feel that all Italians are cheering us on and I received messages of encouragement from all over, including my former players at Fiorentina and Monza,” added Palladino.

“We don’t want to set limits on ourselves. We want to have our say, knowing of course that Bayern Munich are a truly excellent team.”

While the Germans are missing Manuel Neuer and waiting on fitness news from Harry Kane, Atalanta are forced to do without several key players.

Giacomo Raspadori and Charles De Ketelaere are still out injured, with Giorgio Scalvini suspended in defence, while Ederson remains a major doubt.

“I would’ve liked to go into this game with an entire squad at my disposal, but in attack especially we are limited without Raspadori and De Ketelaere,” continued the coach.

“I know whoever plays will give 100 per cent for this shirt. We’ll try to end the first 90 minutes of this tie having given our all to make these fans happy.”

Bayern Munich won seven of their eight Champions League games in the opening phase, losing only 3-1 to Arsenal on November 26.

“Bayern don’t have many weak spots, but we studied them carefully,” added Palladino.

“They have so much quality in attack, especially Harry Kane, but we must not lose our identity, can never drop the tempo, as intensity is our greatest strength.”

Is this to be considered Mission Impossible for Atalanta?

“Maybe, but it’s still wonderful to face this type of challenge. We want to enjoy it and I really liked the attitude of the lads.”

Vincent Kompany warns Bayern Munich ‘are playing against a very strong’ Atalanta side in the Champions League, while a decision on Harry Kane’s fitness will only be made tomorrow.

The first leg kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo on Tuesday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

There are some injury concerns for the Bundesliga leaders, as Manuel Neuer is ruled out with Leon Klanac, Hiroki Ito and Alphonso Davies, while star striker Kane is a major doubt.

“Kane had a very good training session, but we will only make a decision tomorrow,” explained Kompany in his press conference.

“The priority is to have him in the squad, whether he starts or not.”

Kompany full of respect for Atalanta

Inevitably, the German giants are the favourites, but they will also have learned the lesson of Borussia Dortmund, who were eliminated by La Dea in the play-offs.

The first leg had ended 2-0 in Germany, only for Atalanta to turn it around with a last-gasp 4-1 success in Italy.

“We are playing against a very strong team tomorrow. There are analogies to the way we play, considering they attack down the wings a lot, but we must time the pressing correctly.

“Atalanta have done some great things, including winning the Europa League, so we absolutely cannot underestimate them. Our objective is to be as competitive as possible in every tournament. We are not afraid of anyone and want to take every single opportunity.”

Kompany was asked about the level of Italian football compared to many others in Europe, seeing as their biggest clubs struggled recently and crashed out.

“I know it’s a topic in Italy at the moment, because Atalanta are the only Italian team still in the Champions League. I watched the level of Inter last year, when I saw Atalanta’s games this year, I see a lot of talent, I see teams that are well-coached.

“It’s been difficult games for Dortmund, for Frankfurt and Liverpool, so we cannot have any pretention towards this game,” insisted coach Kompany.

“Atalanta is a very special opponent in terms of the way they play, and a very interesting game for us as coaches. Atalanta has been building towards where they are today, so they have the belief they can do something special.

“I was never in the Italian League, so I am not the best judge of how different the level is, but probably not too much.”

La Dea had started very shakily this season, in Serie A and Europe, but went from strength to strength after Raffaele Palladino took over from Ivan Juric in January, bringing more of the approach that his mentor Gian Piero Gasperini had imposed.

“Atalanta have a new coach now, but you can see the consistency, and it is never a guarantee after coach like Gasperini to have such a long period of success as an icon for a club, to find someone who can maintain that identity,” noted Kompany.

“It’s really difficult, but they kept that identity and add something new. I have a lot of respect for Atalanta and what they do, so I know tomorrow will be a really tough game.

“We are used to being favourites in most games, so we don’t have a problem accepting this role if people want to say we are favourites. However, anyone who follows football in recent years will know Atalanta can beat anyone.

“They beat Juventus 3-0 this season, are in the Coppa Italia semi-final, so we have great respect for them. Anything is possible in football, but we want to win.”

Unlike the play-off, this time Atalanta must play the first leg on home turf and the second in Germany.

“It looked for all of us that Dortmund was sure to qualify, they looked dominant at home and the better team, but it changed totally in Bergamo,” confessed Kompany.

“Maybe it was the stadium, the atmosphere, the fans, but they had so much belief here. Italian fans are known to be quite loud, but I can guarantee you that the Allianz Arena on Champions League nights is very special too,” smiled Kompany.

Belgium international Charles De Ketelaere is out of action and Kompany admits to having mixed feelings on the situation.

“As a Belgium fan, I want him fit for the World Cup, but I saw Charles in his debut in Bruges. I thought going to Milan was a chance to try out, but Atalanta are perfect for him to develop. He has a wonderful left foot, good physical presence, he runs a lot and this club was absolutely the right place for him to make this step.

“You can see what a good player he is, so it’s good for us that he’s not available tomorrow, but I also hope he can soon be fit and do really well for the national team.”

Luis Diaz was a big €70m investment from Liverpool and made a strong impact this season with 20 goals and 16 assists in 35 competitive appearances for Bayern Munich.

“Lucho has done really well in terms of numbers, but I think he’s so much more than that. I always say he has creativity in chaos, and what I love is the message he sends when he plays, that reflects the team as well, always fighting and trying to get something.

“Just because we are Bayern Munich, it does not mean we are any less hungry than other teams. It has been a pleasure to have him with us,” concluded Kompany.

Ederson, Giacomo Raspadori and Charles De Ketelaere did not train with the rest of the Atalanta squad today and are expected to miss tomorrow’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich, while Giorgio Scalvini is suspended.

Atalanta are preparing for the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Bayern Munich.

It will be played tomorrow, Tuesday, March 10, at 21:0 CET (20:00 GMT) at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo.

Atalanta team news ahead of Bayern Munich clash in Champions League RO16

Regular starters Ederson, Raspadori and De Ketelaere are still injured and continued to train separately on Monday, TMW reports.

Giorgio Scalvini, on the other hand, worked with the rest of the team days after suffering a knee injury in a Serie A match against Lazio, but the Italian will still miss tomorrow’s match due to a one-game ban.

Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino and midfielder Mario Pasalic will preview the match during a pre-match press conference at 19:00 CET (18:00 GMT) later today.

Atalanta eliminated Borussia Dortmund from the Champions League knockout playoff with a 4-3 aggregate win.

The Nerazzurri are the only remaining Serie A team in Europe’s elite competition.

• Read more – What to expect from Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich and how it impacts Italy

Italy World Cup winner and former Bayern Munich star Luca Toni feels the Bavarians ‘must not underestimate Atalanta’ in the Champions League Round of 16: ‘If they take it lightly, it’s a risk.’

Atalanta and Bayern Munich meet in the Champions League Round of 16 with the first leg played in Bergamo on Tuesday, March 10.

Toni warns Bayern about Atalanta

Bayern Munich are among the favourites to win the Champions League this season, and, naturally, “emirates online casinos” sees them as the most likely team to progress to the quarter-finals, where they’d meet the winner of the tie between Manchester City and Real Madrid.

Atalanta, however, have already shocked some European heavyweights this season, especially in Bergamo, with Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund both losing at the New Balance Arena in the previous Champions League phases.

“On paper, Bayern are much stronger than Atalanta. La Dea has good players, and they play good football with Raffaele Palladino on the bench, especially in the Champions League,” Toni, a former Bayern Munich and Fiorentina star, told Prime Video Italia.

“The coach has changed the team’s mentality. I’ve heard Juric didn’t have a good relationship with the team, but Palladino has recreated a good atmosphere inside the team, as it happened with Gasperini.”

Palladino replaced Juric at the start of November, and La Dea has since won 15 of 26 games.

Bayern Munich will travel to Bergamo without the injured Manuel Neuer, while Harry Kane should be available after missing Friday’s Bundesliga game against Borussia Monchengladbach.

“It’s all in their hands. If they are on their day, they are clearly favourites. Bayern have fantastic players,” Toni continued.

“That being said, they should not underestimate Aalanta, who have the confidence and the pride to have reached such a stage. It will be the game of a lifetime for Atalanta, and it’s a risk if Bayern take it lightly.”

Atalanta hope Ederson will be available on Tuesday after missing the last five matches due to an injury.

“Ederson is one of the most European players, one of the best,” Toni concluded.

“Let’s see who will play in attack, but Atalanta are characterised by team spirit, as everyone helps.”

Toni spent two seasons at Bayern Munich, scoring 58 goals in 89 games.

During his playing career, the former Italian striker won a Bundesliga title in 2007-08 and the German Cup in the same year.

With Italy, he won the 2006 World Cup. He was twice the Serie A top goalscorer, first in 2005-06 with 31 goals and then in 2014-15 with 22 goals, the same as Mauro Icardi.