Atalanta vs Hapoel Tel Aviv – News and Probable Lineups

Entering a new era with fresh management, Atalanta BC kicks off its competitive season on Thursday night, as they begin their Conference League playoff campaign against Hapoel Tel Aviv.

La Dea, scheduled to host the first leg this week, will be competing in the final qualifying round before the league phase, while Hapoel has battled through two prior qualifying matches to reach this stage.

Match overview

Following years of consistent success, including their unforgettable Europa League triumph in 2024, Atalanta fell short of achieving another top-four finish in Serie A last season, which was their first year after the departure of Gian Piero Gasperini.

A poor start under Ivan Juric found the Bergamaschi lingering in the lower mid-table when Raffaele Palladino took over, before gradually making their way up the table and securing a spot in the Conference League.

Remarkably, they have only missed European competition once in the last decade, having been a regular fixture in the Champions League under Gasperini, and now they are gearing up for yet another continental campaign.

Palladino’s contract was not renewed, paving the way for experienced coach Maurizio Sarri to head La Dea this season after his contentious departure from Lazio.

During the preseason, Sarri’s squad achieved three victories and one defeat, with their latest win being a 1-0 triumph over Athletic Bilbao, courtesy of a second-half goal from Nicola Zalewski.

Ahead of their Serie A opener at home against Sassuolo this Sunday, Atalanta’s ‘Sarri-ball’ era is set to commence in earnest.

While their opponents are accustomed to competing in UEFA tournaments, Hapoel Tel Aviv’s recent appearances on this stage are relatively scant.

Nevertheless, the Reds have made an impressive run thus far, eliminating Ludogorets in the second qualifying round and subsequently overcoming GKS Katowice 3-2 on aggregate in the third round.

In the latter tie, establishing a two-goal advantage in the first leg was sufficient to hold off their 2-1 defeat in Poland last week.

Hapoel secured their spot in the Conference League by finishing fourth in Israel’s Premier League after returning to the top tier last season, having surprisingly faced relegation in 2024.

Recently, Elyaniv Barda’s squad continued their playoff journey with a win against Ironi Kiryat Shmona in the Toto Cup semi-finals.

Team News

Sarri is making several modifications to Atalanta’s tactical approach, including the discontinuation of their characteristic three-man defense.

New recruit Thomas Kristensen will need to compete for one of two central defensive positions this Thursday, while fellow candidates Isak Hien and Honest Ahanor will both miss the first leg due to injury.

Additionally, Charles De Ketelaere (leg) and Kamaldeen Sulemana (knee) are also unavailable, but Ederson remains in Bergamo following the collapse of his move to Manchester United and is expected to start in midfield.

Lazar Samardzic scored four goals during last season’s Champions League, making him a likely option behind either Nikola Krstovic or Gianluca Scamacca.

While Scamacca seems to have the edge to lead La Dea’s attacking line, Hapoel will look to Emmanuel Boateng to spearhead their offense.

Both the Ghanaian forward and Stav Turiel have netted twice in Conference League qualifying thus far, often combining with Omri Altman in the attacking third.

Congo international Fernand Mayembo will captain the visiting side from the heart of defense.

Atalanta BC probable starting XI:

Carnesecchi; Bellanova, Kristensen, Scalvini, Bernasconi; Ederson, Gaetano, Samardzic; Zalewski, Scamacca, Raspadori

Hapoel Tel Aviv probable starting XI:

Tzur; Coco, Mayembo, Chico, Leidner; Kraev, Falcao; Turiel, Alcoukin, Altman; Come

Atalanta remains a work in progress under new head coach Sarri, which may hinder their ability to assert their superiority just yet.

Nonetheless, the hosts should boast significantly more firepower than their guests, who have drawn and lost their two away qualifiers up to this point.