UCL | USG 1-0 Atalanta: Dismal Dea stumble into play-offs

Atalanta are going into the Champions League play-offs despite ending the league phase with a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to Union Saint-Gilloise.

La Dea had been on the verge of guaranteeing a place in the top eight last week until falling asleep for a 3-2 home defeat to Athletic Club. January signing Giacomo Raspadori was cup-tied, with Raoul Bellanova injured, but Ademola Lookman got his first start of 2026 after the Africa Cup of Nations. A big loss for the hosts was suspended star striker Promise David, plus Kevin Rodriguez also out of action, as they had lost all three home games to Newcastle, Inter and Marseille.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

BERGAMO, ITALY – OCTOBER 22: Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BC in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Atalanta BC and SK Slavia Praha at Stadio di Bergamo on October 22, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Isak Hien risked gifting a goal in the third minute with a weak back-pass intercepted by Raul Florucz, who dribbled around Marco Sportiello, but Hien got back in time to make up for his error with the goal-line clearance.

There was another dismal defensive error from Hien to give it away in the final third, allowing Guilherme Smith to bend his finish inches wide of the far post.

Lazar Samardzic went on a strong run and rode a couple of tackles, but took too long to get the shot away and was blocked on the edge of the area by Anan Khalaili.

Lookman drilled a finish through a defender’s legs from the edge of the area and forced a tricky save at the base of the near post.

BERGAMO, ITALY – OCTOBER 30: Lazar Samardzic of Atalanta BC celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and AC Monza at Gewiss Stadium on October 30, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Marten de Roon came off the bench and saw his powerful strike charged down by Sykes, who also made another important block on substitute Gianluca Scamacca.

Instead, it was Union Saint-Gilloise who took the lead when Ait El Hadj floated a free kick to the back post for the well-taken Anan Khalaili volley, but Sportiello should’ve done better.

De Roon shinned an effort wide, but Atalanta wasted a golden opportunity to equalise in stoppages. Charles De Ketelaere rolled across from the right and unmarked Kamaldeen Sulemana scuffed it wide from six yards undisturbed at the back post.