Hapoel Tel Aviv Holds Atalanta to Sensational 0-0 Draw in Conference League Playoff

Hapoel Tel Aviv delivered a remarkable performance in Bergamo on Thursday, securing a 0-0 draw against Italian side Atalanta in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League playoff. Under coach Aliniv Breda, the Israeli team showed no signs of inferiority, standing firm against a strong Atalanta squad and even coming close to scoring on several occasions. The match took place in Bergamo, Italy, with about 1,000 Hapoel fans traveling to support their team.

Breda made one change to the starting lineup from the previous win against Katowice, with Owaso replacing Satu Turiel, who failed a fitness test before the game. Roy Alcokin started as the attacking midfielder after impressing early in the season. Atalanta fielded a strong team led by coach Maurizio Sarri but without their World Cup standout Charles De Ketelaere.

Hapoel Tel Aviv began the match confidently, creating early chances including a near goal by Mayembo in the 13th minute and a significant opportunity by Emmanuel Boateng in the 24th minute, which was saved by the Atalanta goalkeeper. Israeli goalkeeper Asaf Tzur made several crucial saves, including a powerful shot from Scamacca in the 36th minute and two key stops in the final moments to preserve the clean sheet.

The game remained goalless despite Atalanta's pressure, with Hapoel showing resilience and tactical discipline. The decisive second leg will be played next week in Miskolc, Hungary, where Hapoel Tel Aviv will look to capitalize on their strong away performance to advance to the group stage of the Conference League. The team's display earned widespread praise for their courage and determination against a favored opponent.