Italian football fans experienced a rollercoaster of emotions this week as the Champions League play-offs concluded, with Atalanta emerging as the sole Italian representative in the last sixteen. After Inter Milan’s shocking exit to Bodø/Glimt on Tuesday night, questions arose about whether any Italian club would feature in the knockout stages—an outcome not seen since the 1987–88 season, when the tournament was still called the European Cup. Ultimately, Atalanta’s resilience preserved the nation’s footballing pride, earning them the affectionate title of “Italy’s favourite” among supporters.
Italian Clubs in Champions League Play-Offs
Three Italian clubs entered the play-off round, but only one survived:
| Club | Opponent | Aggregate Score | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inter Milan | Bodø/Glimt | 2–5 | Eliminated | Defending finalists; lost 3–1 away and 2–1 at home |
| Juventus | Galatasaray | 4–4 (lost on extra time) | Eliminated | Won home leg 3–0 after being 2–5 down from first leg; key players injured |
| Atalanta | Borussia Dortmund | 4–3 | Qualified | Overcame 0–2 away defeat by scoring 3 goals within 57 minutes; conceded late but advanced |
Inter Milan, last season’s finalists, suffered a painful exit against Norway’s Bodø/Glimt, losing 3–1 in the first leg and 2–1 at San Siro. Italian journalists quickly labelled the result a “disaster for Italian football.” Vincenzo Credendino wrote, “When speaking of Italy and Inter, this is among the worst outcomes.”
Juventus, hoping to maintain Italy’s presence in the knockout stages, faced Galatasaray in Istanbul. After a crushing 5–2 defeat in the first leg and with star forwards like Dušan Vlahović and Andrea Cambiaso struggling with injuries, the Turin giants faced an uphill battle. At home, Juventus produced a heroic 3–0 victory, equalising on aggregate, only to fall in extra time 2–0—ending their campaign prematurely.
Atalanta, meanwhile, defied the odds against Borussia Dortmund. Trailing 0–2 after the first leg, they stunned the German side by scoring three goals within 57 minutes in the return leg. Despite conceding in the 75th minute and again from a stoppage-time penalty, Atalanta’s 4–1 home victory ensured a 4–3 aggregate win, securing their place in the last sixteen.
Italian football expert Daniele Berri emphasised the importance of Atalanta’s success: “Had none of the three teams progressed, it would have been a complete disaster for Italian clubs.” Their performance has injected hope for Serie A supporters, though the road ahead will be challenging—they could face powerhouses such as Arsenal or Bayern Munich.
Former West Brom and Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies praised Atalanta on Radio 5 Live: “Atalanta is now Italian football’s favourite.” Football analyst James Horncastle added, “In many ways, Atalanta is now Serie A’s Bodø/Glimt. Eight years ago, they were not on this level; since then, they’ve won European trophies and reached three Coppa Italia finals. Now they have established themselves in the Champions League.”
Journalist Nicky Bandini described Atalanta’s triumph as “vital” for Italian football: “This victory gives Atalanta a positive image that even surpasses Juventus or Inter because they were never among Italy’s traditional football giants.”
Atalanta’s journey from underdogs to Europe’s respected competitors has not only saved Italy’s Champions League reputation but also captured the imagination of fans worldwide.