Atalanta’s second international pre-season friendly – played at the “An der Alten Försterei” stadium in Berlin – ended in a 4-1 defeat at the hands of FC Union Berlin, a club that will participate in next season’s UEFA Champions League and will kick off their domestic campaign next week with the national cup.

The deadlock was broken after eight minutes by Laidouni, who made his way through the defence and fired into the far bottom corner to give the hosts the lead. Pašalić had a chance to level up the match in the 18th minute but his effort was saved by the Union Berlin goalkeeper. The hosts also had an opportunity to double their lead in the 20th and the 23rd minute through Behrens and Khedira, but both attempts were parried by Carnesecchi. However, Union Berlin’s second goal was just around the corner, as Behrens doubled their lead in the 25th minute assisted by Fofana and a third net followed in the 28th minute, courtesy of Fofana himself. Atalanta looked for a quick response, with Latte Lath cutting inside and skimming the post with a right-foot shot at the half-hour mark, and Pašalić, who pulled back one goal on 33 minutes by turning Scalvini’s pass into the roof of the net. Lookman had a go in the 41st minute but both of his efforts were parried by the Union Berlin goalkeeper.

The second half saw Union Berlin add a fourth goal in the 51st minute, as Fofana bagged a brace. At that point, both head coaches made changes to give new energy to the team, but the score remained unchanged.

The squad will now have a day off, as the Nerazzurri will resume training at the Centro Bortolotti in Zingonia on Monday afternoon with a behind-closed-doors session.

1. FC UNION BERLIN 4-1 ATALANTA

Scorers: Laidouini 8 (UB), Behrens 25 (UB), Fofana 28, 51 (UB), Pašalić 33 (A)

Union Berlin: Ronnow, Leite (Jaeckel 73), Doekhi, Aaronson (Kral 46), Khedira (Kemlein 85), Fofana (Hollerbach 62), Behrens (Siebatcheu 62), Juranovic (Trimmel 46), Laidouni (Becker 46), Roussillon (Skarke 73), Knoche (Kaufmann 85). Bench: Schwolow. Coach: Urs Fischer.

Atalanta: Carnesecchi (Musso 73), Djimsiti (Okoli 73), Scalvini, Kolašinac (Bonfanti 73), Zappacosta (Mæhle 56), de Roon (Éderson 56), Koopmeiners (Zortea 73), Bakker (Ruggeri 56), Lookman (Cambiaghi 73), Pašalić (Touré 56), Latte Lath. Bench: Rossi, Toloi, Mendicino. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.

Referee: Eric Weisbach (Assistant referees: Johannes Schipke and Hannes Ventzke).

Notes: Bakker (A), Behrens (UB), Lookman (A) booked.