Atalanta, a photo-finish victory: Samardzic sinks Bologna in the 96th minute

A photo-finish victory for Atalanta, which defeated Bologna 1-0 at the New Balance Arena thanks to a goal that came just when a draw seemed inevitable. The Emilian side created the best chances over the course of the 90 minutes, but they were thwarted by a decisive Carnesecchi, who made key saves to deny first Piccoli in the first half and then Bernardeschi in the second.

Just when the match seemed destined to end scoreless, a dramatic turn of events occurred in the 96th minute: Samardzic collected the ball and unleashed a left-footed shot from distance. Skorupski parried the shot but couldn’t prevent the ball from finding the back of the net. It was the goal that secured the three points for Sarri’s team, which now has 6 points alongside Inter, Milan, Roma, Juventus, and Lazio. Tedesco’s Bologna, on the other hand, remains stuck on 0 points.

Bologna started with more initiative and, after just eight minutes, threatened through Cambiaghi. Atalanta, on the other hand, relied on more methodical possession but struggled to turn their control of the ball into concrete scoring chances. In the 18th minute came the biggest chance of the first half: Piccoli rose highest in the box and directed a very precise header toward the goal, but Carnesecchi was alert and managed to make the save. Atalanta failed to mount the hoped-for response and continued to struggle against the visitors’ initiative. Raspadori was played in on a couple of occasions but failed to create any real danger in front of Skorupski.

The teams went into halftime tied 0-0, and the script changed little in the second half. After a flurry of substitutions, the pace slowed even further. Tedesco then tries to bolster the attack by bringing in Orsolini, but the Rossoblù winger is forced to leave the field after just twenty minutes due to a strain.

Bologna continues to seek a goal, however, and in the 86th minute comes close to taking the lead once again. Bernardeschi broke free and fired a left-footed shot, but once again Carnesecchi rose to the occasion and saved Atalanta. It seemed the game was headed for a 0-0 draw, but in the 96th minute, Samardzic pulled off a miracle. The Nerazzurri midfielder takes a left-footed shot from distance; Skorupski manages to get a hand on the ball but not enough to prevent the goal. Atalanta celebrates in the dying seconds and takes home three crucial points, while Bologna suffers a cruel blow and remains goalless.