With a Djimsiti goal in the opening minutes of the second half, Atalanta defeated Sturm Graz at the Gewiss Stadium on matchday 4 of the 2024-2024 Europa League Group D to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition with two rounds to spare (although whether as group winners or runners-up is still to be determined in the head-to-head with Sporting CP).
Atalanta wore the black armband in memory of their former player Giorgio Veneri. The first half was a balanced affair and saw no big chances coming off both sides. The best scoring threat was created by captain Toloi, whose 14th-minute attempt was over the crossbar. While Zappacosta also had a go with an acrobatic effort, which unfortunately did not cause trouble for Scherpen, Sturm showed up near Musso with a shot from Wlodarczyk, who was offside anyway, and a Lavalée finish from a corner that was off target.
The Nerazzurri’s convincing start to the second half saw Lookman drill inches wide within a minute. The deadlock was finally broken in the 50th minute from a corner through Djimsiti, on his 200th overall appearance for Atalanta, who scuffed in with his left foot beating Scherpen after a chaotic play inside the box. On 57 minutes, Koopmeiners pulled it back for Lookman, whose finish was charged down, and then Horvat gave it a whirl in the 63rd minute when his left-foot effort was inches off target. The Nerazzurri came close to doubling their lead twice, first through Muriel, who fired over after an insisted move on 69 minutes, and one minute later through Pašalić, who turned the effort wide after a give-and-go with Hateboer. Koopmeiners also tried his luck in the 74th minute, but his attempt from the edge of the box was deflected just wide by Stankovic. Éderson then broke down the right on 83 minutes and forced a tricky save out of the visiting goalkeeper. Scherpen then denied Pašalić’s stoppage-time attempt with another great save but one goal was enough to move us on 10 points and consolidate our Group D leadership.
Come tomorrow, Friday 10 November, the Nerazzurri will immediately get down to work with an afternoon training session – to be held behind closed doors at the Centro Bortolotti – that will kick off preparations for the Udine trip.
ATALANTA 1-0 STURM GRAZ
Scorers: Djimsiti 50 (A).
Atalanta: Musso, Toloi, Djimsiti, Kolašinac, Zappacosta (Hateboer 46), de Roon, Éderson, Bakker (Holm 89), Koopmeiners (Miranchuk 87), Lookman (Pašalić 62), Scamacca (Muriel 62).
Unused subs: Carnesecchi, Rossi, Zortea, Adopo, Bonfanti, Mendicino.
Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Sturm Graz: Sherpen, Gazibegovic, Affengruber (Fuseini 79), Wuthrich, Schnegg (Dante 86), Lavalee, Stankovic, Prass, Boving (Horvat 59), Wlodarczyk (Teixera 59), Sarkaria.
Unused subs: Maric, Obi, Borkovic, Javi Serrano, Stuckler, Grgic.
Coach: Christian Ilzer.
Referee: Jérôme Brisard (FRA).
Assistant referees: Alexis Auger (FRA) and Aurélien Berthomieu (FRA).
4th Official: Thomas Leonard (FRA)
V.A.R.: Willy Delajod (FRA).
A.V.A.R.: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins (POR).
Notes: Stanković (SG) and Schnegg (SG) booked.
