Scalvini and Djimsiti hope Atalanta success over Roma ‘bodes well’ for 2026

BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 03: Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and AS Roma at New Balance Arena on January 03, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

Giorgio Scalvini and Berat Djimsiti hope the 1-0 win over Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma ‘can bode well’ for Atalanta’s 2026, as well as their fitness levels.

It was not a night like any other at the New Balance Arena, as it was the first time Gasperini returned to Bergamo as a rival following his nine years at the club.

He emerged empty-handed, as Scalvini made the most of a Mile Svilar error on the early corner, then Gianluca Scamacca had the ball in the net only for it to be disallowed over an earlier offside.

Atalanta start 2026 with morale-boosting victory

This was Scalvini’s second goal of the season, and his second against Roma, quite a record for a central defender.

“It was fantastic, we played very well and had the right attitude. The most important thing is that the team won against a strong opponent like Roma, so now we hope 2026 continues like this,” Scalvini told Sky Sport Italia.

“This is an important victory, we started the year on the right foot, but now there’s Bologna and every game is different. Hopefully this bodes well going forward, both for the team and for me. I needed a few weeks to get fully fit, but for two or three weeks now I feel good.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Atalanta 1-0 Roma

Atalanta are climbing up the Serie A table, even if it is difficult to get a good sense of the situation with several teams having a game in hand.

Djimsiti was named Serie A Man of the Match for his performance in the Dea defence this evening.

“It wasn’t just beating a big club, but playing here at home it was important to win too. I felt bad because we lost to Inter here last time with my error, but tonight I feel we all had a really good game,” Djimsiti told Sky Sport Italia.

“Certainly, we know many in Gasperini’s staff, I’ve been here for eight years. We said hello before kick-off, but then it’s football and you want to win no matter who you are up against. We’ll take it one game at a time and try to get as many wins as possible, then we’ll look at the table later on.”