At the Allianz Riviera in Nice, Atalanta edged the hosts by a 3-0 scoreline in a friendly game. The start of the match was sprightly, as both Pepe and then Thuram forced a save off Musso in the opening minutes. Atalanta’s response produced the opening goal, as Højlund scored a diving header from Ruggeri’s cross from the left in the 18th minute. Three minutes later Zapata tested Schmeichel and, as a follow-up, he doubled Atalanta’s lead in the 22nd minute with a powerful finish off Scalvini’s pass. Nice were dangerous on 33 minutes when Brahimi’s shot was charged down by Musso and, above all, on 44 minutes when Laborde’s attempt forced our shot-stopper into a very difficult save.

The second half opened with Schmeichel sticking out his feet to charge down Ruggeri’s attempt and Malinovskyi firing over from Ruggeri’s assist in the 51st minute. Then chances followed, first for Højlund and then for Zapata, and, in the final minutes, Gasperini also gave space to Atalanta’s Academy players Chiwisa and Palestra. Last but not least, a third goal arrived in the 92nd minute when Boga finished off a splendid give-and-go between him and Muriel.

NICE 0-3 ATALANTA

Scorers: Højlund 18 (A), Zapata 22 (A), Boga 92 (A).

Nice: Schmeichel, Atal (Bard 64), Todibo, Dante (Viti 74), Lotomba, Boudaoui, Beka Beka (Rosario 64), Thuram, Brahimi, Pepe (Barkley 74), Laborde (Bouanani 78). Unused bench: Boulhendi, Belahyane, Bryan, Ilie, Sorensen. Coach: Lucien Favre.

Atalanta: Musso (Sportiello 68), Toloi, Okoli (Djimsiti 82), Ruggeri (Palestra 88), Soppy (Zortea 68), Éderson, Scalvini, Mæhle, Malinovskyi (Boga 68), Zapata (Chiwisa 88), Højlund (Muriel 68). Bench: Rossi, Regonesi, Muhameti. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.

Referee: Eric Wattelier (refereeing assistants Gwenael Pasqualotti and Laurent Coniglio; fourth official Julien Rouquette).

Notes: Malinovskyi (A), Scalvini (A) booked.