On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Atalanta Bergamo suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at the Parc des Princes against Paris Saint-Germain during the first matchday of the UEFA Champions League group stage. This match marks an important chapter for the Lombards, now coached by Ivan Juric, who is experiencing his first campaign at this European level following Gian Piero Gasperini’s departure. Despite a clear desire to reconnect with continental competition, the team quickly found itself in trouble, especially after Marquinhos’ early goal, which compromised their chances of competing against Paris’s strength.
The sporting context is also marked by the delicate handling of Ademola Lookman’s case. The Nigerian player, part of the squad but excluded from the group for this match, has wanted to leave the club for over a year. His exclusion symbolizes Ivan Juric and the management’s wish to turn the page and instill a new mindset within the team. This choice highlights a phase of tactical and moral rebuilding for Atalanta, as they aim to recover the form displayed in their recent European campaigns.
On the tactical side, Ivan Juric was candid in the post-match press conference: PSG’s superiority was too clear to allow his team to adapt or change the course of the game. The experience and depth of the Parisian squad, European champions and supported by highly effective players in every part of the game, highlighted Atalanta’s current weaknesses, particularly in defense and in maintaining possession under PSG’s intense pressure.
Thus, this game opens a new era for Atalanta Bergamo, which must balance European ambitions with the realities of a squad undergoing significant changes. The Lombard club, long praised for its attacking style and tactical freedom, now needs to find balance under Juric to be competitive in an increasingly elite Champions League. The challenge will be especially tough against opponents like PSG, but Atalanta remains a promising club ready to reinvent itself.