Atalanta Cruise Past Pafos in UECL Opener but Injury Woes Deepen

FolioPitch.com – 16 October 2026 | Atalanta‘s UECL Atalanta 3-1 Pafos Dea comfortable victory at the Stadio di Bergamo on Wednesday night came at a heavy cost, with the Serie A side losing two more players to injury as their squad crisis continues to bite. The UECL Atalanta 3-1 Pafos Dea comfortable victory was built on a blistering start, a composed penalty, and a clinical second-half finish, but the sight of Giacomo Raspadori limping off after converting from the spot cast a shadow over an otherwise routine evening in the Conference League league phase opener.

Elmas Strikes Inside 50 Seconds

La Dea needed just 50 seconds to break the deadlock. Giacomo Raspadori rolled a pass across from the right, Gianluca Scamacca produced a cheeky dummy that let the ball run through, and Eljif Elmas swept home undisturbed to give the hosts the perfect start. It was the kind of incisive, well-rehearsed move that has become a hallmark of Maurizio Sarri’s side, and it set the tone for a dominant first half.

Raspadori nearly doubled the lead himself with a left-footed curler from the edge of the box, forcing Radoslaw Majecki into a fingertip save around the upright. The Atalanta forward was heavily involved throughout the opening exchanges, and he soon won a penalty when Nicola Zalewski sprinted into the area and was pushed from behind by Bruno Felipe.

Raspadori Scores and Limps Off

Raspadori stepped up and sent Majecki the wrong way from 12 yards, but the celebration was muted as the striker grimaced in pain. Moments later he was forced off with a new muscular injury, replaced by Charles De Ketelaere, adding yet another name to Atalanta’s growing absentee list. The UECL Atalanta 3-1 Pafos Dea comfortable victory was already looking secure, but the injury toll was becoming a serious concern for the Bergamo club.

Pafos should have pulled one back when Lelê fired wide after being sent one-on-one with Marco Carnesecchi, while Scamacca stung the goalkeeper’s gloves at the other end. The visitors were also forced into a change before half-time, as former Chelsea defender David Luiz limped off with a flexor injury, cutting short his reunion with ex-Blues manager Sarri.

Scamacca Seals the Points

Carnesecchi pushed a Vlad Dragomir free kick round the base of the near post early in the second half, but Atalanta added a third when substitute De Ketelaere timed a through ball perfectly to release Scamacca, who took a touch and swept in from 14 yards. It was a goal of real quality and effectively ended the contest, underlining the UECL Atalanta 3-1 Pafos Dea comfortable victory.

Zalewski’s scorcher from a tricky angle was palmed over the bar, and his through ball sent Mario Pasalic clear, only for a desperate Samy Mmaee sliding tackle to deny him. Carnesecchi spilled an Anderson Silva snapshot and just about recovered before it rolled over the line, while De Ketelaere surged forward only for his finish to skim the crossbar.

Atalanta’s injury crisis was laid bare by the debut of youth academy right-back Javison Idele, a substitution that pushed Zalewski into central defence. The hosts finished the game with a makeshift back line, a testament to the depth issues Sarri is grappling with.

Biel Grabs Late Consolation

Pafos did get a goal for their trouble in the final minutes, as a cushioned chest assist set it up for Biel to drill under an uncertain Carnesecchi. It was no more than a consolation, but it gave the Cypriot side something to show for a disciplined if ultimately outclassed display.

The UECL Atalanta 3-1 Pafos Dea comfortable victory was reflected in the match statistics, with Atalanta enjoying 65 percent possession and registering 20 total shots to Pafos’s eight. The hosts also managed seven shots on target compared to five for the visitors, and won six corners to Pafos’s two.

Injury Concerns Mount for Sarri

Atalanta began their Conference League campaign proper after coming through a preliminary round against Hapoel Tel Aviv, and they did so amid a deepening injury crisis. Giorgio Scalvini, Franck Kessie, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Isak Hien, Odilon Kossounou, and Raoul Bellanova were all missing, and the loss of Raspadori and the sight of Idele making his debut in defence will do little to ease Sarri’s worries.

Pafos, who dropped into this tournament after losing their Europa League qualifiers to RB Salzburg, were without Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu, David Goldar, Jay Gorter, Charalampos Kryiakidis, and Jajá. Their evening was further complicated by the early loss of David Luiz, whose reunion with Sarri lasted less than 40 minutes.

Conclusion

The UECL Atalanta 3-1 Pafos Dea comfortable victory gives Atalanta a winning start to their Conference League league phase and ends a difficult run of three straight Serie A defeats, following Monday’s 3-1 win over Venezia. Elmas, Raspadori, and Scamacca all found the net, and De Ketelaere’s impact from the bench was decisive. Yet the result will be remembered as much for the injuries that continue to pile up as for the quality of the performance. For Pafos, the defeat is a reminder of the step up in class they face at this level, though Biel’s late goal offers a small measure of encouragement. Atalanta march on, but Sarri will be hoping his treatment room empties quickly.