Athletic Bilbao kept their Champions League dreams alive with a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium on Wednesday night. After a dominant first half from the Italians, Ernesto Valverde’s side produced a clinical second-half display to secure three vital points in the race for the knockout stages.
Scamacca Strikes as Atalanta Dominate Early
The match began with Atalanta asserting their trademark offensive pressure. The breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Gianluca Scamacca rose highest to meet a Nicola Zalewski cross, powering a header past Unai Simón. The Italians dominated the opening 45 minutes, leaving the Basque side struggling to find their rhythm.
Valverde’s Tactical Masterclass: The Serrano Impact
The momentum shifted dramatically after the interval. Athletic returned with renewed energy, and Gorka Guruzeta leveled the score in the 58th minute with a precise finish from the edge of the area.
However, the game-changing moment came from the bench. Nico Serrano, introduced by Valverde in the 70th minute, took only 120 seconds to find the net following a brilliant assist from Robert Navarro. Just four minutes later, Navarro turned from provider to scorer, firing into the corner to beat Marco Carnesecchi and silence the Bergamo crowd.
🔚 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗟
El Athletic remonta en Bérgamo para conseguir una gran victoria ante el @Atalanta_BC y jugarse el pase al playoff de la @ChampionsLeague en San Mamés.
✊ EGURRE!#AtalantaAthletic #UniqueInTheWorld 🦁 pic.twitter.com/U2gv6d91d7
— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) January 21, 2026
Tense Finish and Final Round Permutations
Atalanta refused to go down without a fight. In the closing stages, Nikola Krstovic pulled one back after being set up by Charles De Ketelaere, but Bilbao’s defense held firm under immense pressure to secure the 3-2 win.
The Stakes for the Final Round:
- Atalanta: Now under immense pressure, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men must beat Union Saint-Gilloise next Wednesday to guarantee a spot in the next phase.
- Athletic Bilbao: The Lions return to San Mamés to host Sporting CP, knowing another victory is essential to cement their place in the playoff round.
Wilson Gaspar is a football analyst covering the UEFA Champions League, focusing on match previews, tactical reviews, and the performance of Europe’s top clubs throughout the competition.
