Sports
Serie A | Bologna 0-2 Atalanta: Krstovic the hero in Euro battle
BOLOGNA, ITALY – JANUARY 07: Nikola Krstovic of Atalanta celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Atalanta BC at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on January 07, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Nikola Krstovic was a late change to the starting XI, but he scored both goals as Atalanta won a huge game in Bologna to leapfrog them in the table.
This was a real head-to-head for European places, as the Rossoblu had just two points from the last five Serie A rounds, despite reaching the Supercoppa Italiana Final. Lukasz Skorupski and Federico Bernardeschi were still out of action, but Riccardo Orsolini returned to the starting XI after defeat to Inter. La Dea were revitalised under Raffaele Palladino and beat Roma at the weekend, but lost Gianluca Scamacca and Sead Kolasinac to new injuries, with Raoul Bellanova and Mitchel Bakker already out, plus Ademola Lookman and Odilon Kossounou at AFCON.
See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
Ederson attempted an audacious back-heel flick on Nicola Zalewski’s through ball when he perhaps should’ve gone for something more traditional.
Thijs Dallinga turned over under pressure from Nicolò Cambiaghi’s cross, while Honest Ahanor’s header skimmed the crossbar on a corner. Atalanta took the lead when Charles De Ketelaere rolled across from the right and Krstovic swept in first-time from 10 yards with the inside of the right boot.
Jonathan Rowe came on for the second half and immediately tested Marco Carnesecchi from the edge of the box, while Lewis Ferguson threw himself in the way to stop Krstovic tapping in the Bernasconi assist.
Giorgio Scalvini risked an own goal anticipating the Torbjorn Heggem header, but it was 2-0 moments later when Marten de Roon floated a ball over the top for Krstovic to spring the offside trap and drill in low from just inside the area with the left foot.
Charles De Ketelaere stung Ravaglia’s gloves and Marco Carnesecchi made a great save at the near post when Cambiaghi set up Rowe with a twirl.
Carnesecchi started making some big saves as the chilly evening wore on, including a reaction when Nikola Moro’s strike from the edge of the box was deflected.
Krstovic 37, 60 (A)
13 33
41
20
14 80
19
8
28 7
24
29
19
77
42 69
47
13
15 59
17
90
22 4
29
16
26 21
2
77
25 82
11
17
6 9
30
Bologna 0-2 Atalanta
72′ 
72′ 
80′ 
46′ 
60′ 
68′ 
77′ 
68′ 
84′ 
77′ 
46′ 
60′ 
72′ 
72′ 80′
