Atalanta 1-0 Hellas Verona: Serie A 2025-26 match report

Atalanta secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hellas Verona at the New Balance Arena on Sunday, maintaining their push in the Serie A standings. In a match defined by tactical rigidity and a singular moment of quality, Raffaele Palladino’s side successfully navigated a physical encounter against a disciplined Verona outfit.

The opening

The match began with both sides attempting to establish control through their respective systems. Palladino opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation, aiming to create overloads in the half-spaces, while Paolo Sammarco’s Hellas Verona set up in a 3-5-2, prioritizing a compact defensive block designed to stifle Atalanta’s buildup play.

The intensity was evident from the early stages, with Verona looking to disrupt the rhythm of the home side. A. Edmundsson was the first to be cautioned in the 16th minute, a booking that highlighted the visitors' aggressive approach to closing down space. Atalanta, however, remained patient in possession, probing for gaps in the Verona backline. The game remained a tactical stalemate for much of the first half, with both defenses largely neutralizing the opposing attacking threats.

The decisive moment

The deadlock was finally broken in the 37th minute. Davide Zappacosta, operating with his characteristic forward momentum, found the breakthrough for Atalanta. The goal came as a result of a sustained period of pressure, forcing Verona to shift their defensive shape. Zappacosta’s clinical finish provided the necessary cushion for the hosts to dictate the tempo heading into the halftime interval.

Following the break, Sammarco looked to inject fresh energy into his side, introducing M. Frese for D. Oyegoke immediately at the start of the second half. Despite the change, Verona struggled to find a clear path to goal. As the half progressed, the game became increasingly fragmented, characterized by a series of fouls and tactical substitutions. Verona’s discipline began to fray under the pressure of chasing the game, resulting in yellow cards for N. Valentini and R. Gagliardini in the 54th and 63rd minutes, respectively.

Palladino utilized his bench effectively to manage the lead, introducing N. Zalewski and Éderson in the 63rd minute to reinforce the midfield and maintain intensity. As the clock wound down, Verona attempted to force an equalizer by bringing on A. Harroui and K. Bowie, but Atalanta’s defensive structure, bolstered by the 76th-minute introduction of Sead Kolašinac, remained resolute. Despite a late yellow card for Isak Hien in the 83rd minute, Atalanta managed the closing stages with composure to secure all three points.

Looking ahead

The result reinforces Atalanta’s position in the upper echelons of the table, demonstrating their ability to grind out results against defensively organized opponents. For Hellas Verona, the defeat underscores the ongoing challenges of their campaign, as they continue to search for the consistency required to climb away from the pressure at the bottom of the standings.