Hapoel Tel Aviv Draws Italian Champions Atalanta in Conference League Playoff

Hapoel Tel Aviv has been drawn to face Atalanta in the playoff round of the UEFA Conference League, should they advance past Katowice in the third qualifying round. The Italian side, recent winners of the 2023/2024 UEFA Europa League, represent a formidable challenge for the Israeli club. Atalanta also boasts a historic Italian Cup win from the 1962/1963 season and eliminated Hapoel Haifa from the Europa League qualifiers eight years ago with a 6-1 aggregate score.

Last season, Atalanta finished seventh in Serie A with 59 points, 28 points behind champions Inter Milan. In the Champions League, they reached the round of 16, overcoming Borussia Dortmund with a remarkable 4-1 home victory after a 2-0 away loss, before being heavily defeated by Bayern Munich 10-2 on aggregate. The squad includes notable players such as World Cup star Charles De Ketelaere, Italian striker Gianluca Scamacca, midfielder Marten de Roon, and defender Giorgio Scalvini. Maurizio Sarri was recently appointed as the team's head coach.

Atalanta's squad value stands at an estimated 447 million euros, vastly overshadowing Hapoel Tel Aviv's 13 million euros. The only recent signing for Atalanta is defensive midfielder Gianluca Gaetano from Cagliari for 12 million euros. Among the highest valued players are midfielder Ederson at 45 million euros and defender Giorgio Scalvini at 38 million euros, according to Transfermarkt.

This draw sets up a highly challenging matchup for Hapoel Tel Aviv as they aim to progress further in European competition.