Serie A: Atalanta 1-0 Bologna — Samardzic rescues disappointing Dea
Quick summary
Atalanta edged Bologna 1-0 in Serie A thanks to Lazar Samardzic, who delivered the decisive contribution in an otherwise underwhelming performance from La Dea.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceAtalanta scraped a 1-0 victory deep into stoppages with the Lazar Samardzic snapshot surprising Lukasz Skorupski, after Bologna had come closest to getting a winner.
La Dea were in a more positive mood after beating Sassuolo 2-1 and securing Conference League qualification with the midweek play-off victory against Hapoel Tel-Aviv. Isak Hien, Thomas Kristensen and Kamaldeen Sulemana were still injured, with club record holder Marten de Roon surprisingly moving to Roma yesterday. Bologna had a disastrous pre-season and then lost the opener at home to Lazio, so confidence was rock bottom . Jonathan Rowe was also left behind amid transfer speculation of a €40m switch to Atalanta, with Oussama El Azzouzi and Nicolò Casale nursing knocks.
See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
BERGAMO, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of Atalanta reacts during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Bologna FC at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on August 31, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Federico Bernardeschi stung Marco Carnesecchi’s gloves with a sudden scorcher, while Giacomo Raspadori volleyed over from an audacious position.
Gianluca Scamacca and Roberto Piccoli tested the goalkeepers, while Carnesecchi made a sensational reaction save from point-blank range on Lewis Ferguson’s volley, even if there were suspicions of offside on the Bernardeschi assist to the back post.
Jens Odgaard drilled wide from distance, but Niccolò Cambiaghi came so close to the opener with an absolutely ferocious strike from outside the area that smacked against the base of the far post.
BERGAMO, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta is challenged by Torbjorn Heggem of Bologna FC 1909 during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Bologna FC at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on August 31, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Eljif Elmas tried to dribble through a crowd, but was blocked off, then Bologna were forced to change substitute Riccardo Orsolini due to a muscular injury.
Mikel Amondarain and Artem Dovbyk failed to make the most of promising situations with poor finishing, but Bernardeschi’s daisy-cutter did force a difficult save out of Carnesecchi from distance.
BERGAMO, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Marco Carnesecchi of Atalanta acknowledges the fans during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Bologna FC at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on August 31, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) It seemed as if they were heading to a disappointing point apiece when a moment of magic changed everything. Samardzic gathered from outside the area, turned and hit a bending left-foot finish that dipped under the grasp of Lukasz Skorupski and squirmed into the far bottom corner. The goalkeeper was late getting down and not too confident on the save, but it did bounce right in front of him.
Atalanta 1-0 Bologna Samardzic 96 (A)
31-08-2026 19:45
MatchDay 2
New Balance Arena (Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia)
Atalanta
Bologna
1 - 0
Player statistic
2nd half
Nikola Krstovic
73'
Lazar Samardžić (Assist: Nicola Zalewski)
90+6'
Match statistic
42
Possession %
58
6
Total shots
16
2
Shots on target
3
2
Shots off target
10
2
Blocked shots
3
1
Corners
2
Offsides
4
10
Fouls
13
Atalanta
Bologna
Starting lineups
29
Marco Carnesecchi Goalkeeper
42
Giorgio Scalvini Defender
77
Davide Zappacosta Defender
3
Odilon Kossounou Defender
23
Sead Kolasinac Defender
78'
13
Éderson Midfielder
68'
70
Gianluca Gaetano Midfielder
8
Mario Pasalic Midfielder
17
Charles De Ketelaere Attacker
55'
18
Giacomo Raspadori Attacker
56'
9
Gianluca Scamacca Attacker
68'
1
Lukasz Skorupski Goalkeeper
5
Eivind Helland Defender
2
Emil Holm Defender
72'
23
Rahim Alhassane Defender
14
Torbjørn Heggem Defender
19
Lewis Ferguson Midfielder
4
Tommaso Pobega Midfielder
72'
10
Federico Bernardeschi Attacker
21
Jens Odgaard Attacker
60'
28
Nicolò Cambiaghi Attacker
91
Roberto Piccoli Attacker
60'
Substitutes
57
Marco Sportiello Goalkeeper
47
Lorenzo Bernasconi Defender
6
Ibrahim Sulemana Midfielder
95
Paolo Vismara Goalkeeper
49
Federico Cassa Midfielder
40
Relja Obric Defender
59
Nicola Zalewski Midfielder
55'
99
Eljif Elmas Midfielder
56'
10
Lazar Samardžić Midfielder
68'
90
Nikola Krstovic Attacker
68'
16
Raoul Bellanova Defender
78'
29
Lorenzo De Silvestri Defender
Arthur Theate Defender
16
Nicolò Casale Defender
33
Juan Miranda Defender
41
Martin Vitik Defender
25
Massimo Pessina Goalkeeper
72
Ukko Happonen Goalkeeper
18
Marco Libra Midfielder
9
Artem Dovbyk Attacker
60'
20
Nadir Zortea Defender
72'
8
Mikel Amondarain Midfielder
72'
7
Riccardo Orsolini Attacker
6
Nikola Moro Midfielder
80'
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What happened
Atalanta secured a narrow 1-0 home victory over Bologna in Serie A, with Lazar Samardzic providing the decisive moment to spare his side an embarrassing result. The performance was described as dismal for Atalanta, who needed their match-winner to rescue three points against a Bologna side that competed well. The result keeps Atalanta's domestic campaign on track but raises questions about their overall form heading into the next round of fixtures.
Chance analysis
Atalanta got the three points but not much else against Bologna. Samardzic's intervention papered over a performance that will concern Gian Piero Gasperini, with La Dea looking short of their usual intensity. For Bologna, the narrow defeat represents another frustrating result on the road despite a competitive showing, underlining their struggle to convert solid performances into points away from the Stadio Dall'Ara.
Atalanta gain three points but with lingering doubts about their form, while Bologna's away-day struggles continue despite a respectable display.