The first leg in Bergamo ended in a goalless stalemate, and Hapoel Tel Aviv return to Israel knowing their home form in qualifiers has been impeccable — two wins, two clean sheets, and no goals conceded. However, both sides have heavily rotated with six changes apiece, which stri…
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Sign inHapoel Tel Aviv host Serie A side Atalanta at their Bloomfield Stadium home on Thursday evening, with the UEFA Europa Conference League playoff round tie delicately balanced after a goalless first leg in Bergamo. The winner over 90 minutes – and potentially extra time and penalties – will secure a place in the competition's league phase.
Atalanta are sweating on the fitness of defender Giorgio Scalvini, who was forced off after 26 minutes of the first leg with a sprained left ankle. A subsequent medical bulletin confirmed the injury and stated his condition will be assessed day by day, though he was already ruled out of Sunday's Serie A opener against Sassuolo. Thomas Kristensen, the recent signing from Udinese, made his debut in Scalvini's place and is expected to start again if the Italy international fails to recover in time. Maurizio Sarri also raised concerns about the attacking output of wingers Giacomo Raspadori and Nicola Zalewski, demanding “more courage with the ball at their feet” after a subdued 0-0 draw.
Hapoel Tel Aviv have no fresh injury concerns reported, giving head coach Elyaniv Barda a full squad to choose from as they look to reach the group stage for the first time in 12 years.
Sarri's competitive debut as Atalanta coach ended in frustration at the Gewiss Stadium. La Dea controlled possession but managed only nine shots, rarely testing the Hapoel Tel Aviv goalkeeper. The Israeli side, who had earlier eliminated Katowice 3-2 on aggregate in the third qualifying round, defended deep and in numbers, frustrating a team still adapting to Sarri's patient, possession-based “Sarriball” system. The result extended Hapoel's unbeaten run in European qualifiers this season and gave them the advantage of an away draw heading home.
Sarri singled out wing play as an area needing urgent improvement. With Gianluca Scamacca, Lazar Samardzic, and Raspadori all starting the first leg, Atalanta carried a clear technical edge but struggled to break down a compact backline. Hapoel Tel Aviv's defenders, who stood firm in Bergamo, will again look to deny space and rely on counter-attacks. If Scalvini is absent, Kristensen's partnership with the rest of the back four will be tested by Hapoel's quick transitions, which caused problems for Katowice in the previous round.
The winner of this tie earns automatic entry into the 2026/27 Europa Conference League group phase. For Hapoel Tel Aviv, it would mark a long-awaited return to European group competition, having last played in the 2011/12 Europa League group stage. Atalanta, meanwhile, are under pressure to deliver after the club's board reportedly made qualifying a minimum requirement. The 0-0 draw at home raised early questions about Sarri's tactical overhaul and the time he will need to fully implement his philosophy.
The tie remains wide open as both sides know a single moment of quality could prove decisive. Atalanta's superior individual talent may eventually break through, but Hapoel Tel Aviv's home support at Bloomfield Stadium and their defensive organisation make this one of the tightest playoff ties of the round.
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