Atalanta faces Hapoel Tel Aviv in Conference League playoff

Atalanta is set to face Hapoel Tel Aviv in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League playoffs at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo. This match marks the official debut of Maurizio Sarri as Atalanta's head coach, as he implements a new 4-3-3 tactical system.

Sarri has described the upcoming tie as a “battle,” noting that the team is still in a phase of construction. While Atalanta enters as the favorite, the coach and players, including captain Ederson, have expressed respect for the Israeli side, which has more recent competitive match experience. The second leg of the tie is scheduled to be played at a neutral venue in Miskolc, Hungary.

Ahead of the match, the Global Sumud Flotilla projected a “Boycott Israel” message onto the stadium walls as a humanitarian protest. Additionally, security measures are in place regarding the potential presence of approximately 1,000 Hapoel Tel Aviv supporters, with specific regulations regarding the display of Palestinian flags at the venue.