When Club Atletico Atalanta scored in the 89th minute at Stade Vélodrome, the entire French crowd fell silent. Not because of a spectacular goal — though Lazar Samardzic’s left-footed curler was pure art — but because of what came before it. Marseille players were still protesting a handball by Ederson, a moment referee Gianluca Rocchi had just signaled to review. And then, in the chaos, Atalanta broke. The ball found Samardzic. The net rippled. The result: 0-1. The shock: immense.
A Match Defined by Missed Chances and Timing
Marseille came into this match with an eight-game unbeaten home streak in European competition. They’d beaten Manchester United, drawn with RB Leipzig, and looked sharp in their last domestic outing — until last Saturday’s 1-2 loss to Sporting Clube de Portugal. But against Atalanta, they controlled the ball. 58% possession. 14 shots. Five on target. Yet they couldn’t find the back of the net.
The best chance came at 23 minutes when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 36, slipped past the offside trap. A through ball from Pierre-Emile Højbjerg sent him clean through. Marco Carnesecchi, Atalanta’s 25-year-old keeper, threw himself across goal and somehow got a fingertip on the shot. The ball clattered off the crossbar. The stadium roared — then held its breath.
Atalanta, meanwhile, looked dangerous on the break. Ademola Lookman had a goal disallowed at 69 minutes after Matteo Krstovic was offside earlier in the move. Charles De Ketelaere saw his penalty saved earlier in the half. Mason Greenwood’s free kick was smothered. Davide Zappacosta’s cross went wide from three yards out. It wasn’t pretty. But it was effective.
The Controversy That Changed Everything
Here’s the thing: Atalanta didn’t win because they were better. They won because they were ruthless. And Marseille? They were paralyzed by indecision.
With 92 seconds left, Mason Greenwood pulled the ball back near the byline. Ederson, the Atalanta fullback, intercepted it. As he turned, his arm brushed the ball. He fell. Marseille players immediately screamed for a penalty. The crowd rose. The referee raised his hand — not to blow his whistle, but to signal VAR. The replay booth lit up. The stadium waited.
And then, in that split second of hesitation, Atalanta launched a counter. Samardzic, subbed on in every Champions League game this season, sprinted into space. A pass. A curl. A finish into the far top corner. The goal stood. The penalty appeal? Forgotten.
"It’s a nightmare," said one Marseille fan, still in his seat, clutching his scarf. "They were about to give us the penalty. And then... they just let it go."
Historic Win for Atalanta, Crisis for Marseille
This was Atalanta’s first-ever win against a French side on French soil. Their record against French clubs in France? One win, two draws, one loss — now upgraded. It’s a milestone that echoes beyond the three points. Atalanta, often dismissed as a Serie A underdog, are now a genuine threat in the Champions League group stage.
They’ve kept eight clean sheets in their last 13 group stage matches since 2023/24. That’s elite defensive discipline. And Ivan Juric, their 48-year-old Croatian coach, didn’t just outmaneuver Roberto De Zerbi tactically — he out-coached him mentally. Reports say Juric had a heated exchange with Lookman after subbing him off, but the message was clear: stay compact. Stay patient. Wait for the mistake.
For Marseille, it’s a disaster. Their home form in Europe — once a fortress — is now in tatters. Eight unbeaten games? Gone. Four points from four matches? That puts them in danger of elimination. De Zerbi’s side looks disjointed. Aubameyang is still dangerous, but the midfield lacks control. The defense? Fragile.
What’s Next? A Crucial Week for Both Clubs
November 26, 2025, is a turning point. Marseille travel to Prague to face SK Slavia Praha, a team that just held Atalanta to a 1-1 draw. A loss here could end their Champions League hopes. Atalanta, meanwhile, host Sporting Clube de Portugal at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo. A win? They’re all but guaranteed a top-two finish.
Samardzic, the 22-year-old German midfielder, is now the unlikely hero. Two goals as a substitute in this season’s Champions League. Both decisive. Both born from chaos. He didn’t start a single group stage match before this one. Now? He’s the man who broke Marseille’s heart.
Key Match Stats: Marseille vs Atalanta
- Possession: Marseille 58% - Atalanta 42%
- Shots: Marseille 14 (5 on target) - Atalanta 9 (3 on target)
- Corners: Marseille 7 - Atalanta 3
- Clearances: Marseille 19 - Atalanta 26
- Pass accuracy: Marseille 84% - Atalanta 87%
- Atalanta’s clean sheets in last 13 UCL group games: 8
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the penalty appeal not given despite Ederson’s handball?
Referee Gianluca Rocchi had signaled for VAR review, but the goal was scored before the decision was confirmed. Under current UCL rules, if play continues and a goal is scored during a pending VAR review, the goal stands unless the incident is deemed a clear and obvious error — which the officials didn’t determine. The handball was marginal, and the goal’s timing exploited a procedural gray area.
How significant is Atalanta’s win against a French club on French soil?
This was Atalanta’s first-ever victory over a French team in France. In their previous four encounters on French soil, they’d drawn twice and lost twice. Beating Marseille — a club with a strong European pedigree — in such dramatic fashion signals a new level of confidence and tactical maturity for the Bergamo side in away Champions League fixtures.
What does this result mean for Marseille’s Champions League qualification chances?
Marseille now has just four points from four matches, placing them third in Group C. With Sporting CP and Atalanta on seven points, Marseille must win both remaining games and hope for other results to go their way. A loss to Slavia Praha on November 26 would effectively end their knockout stage hopes.
Who is Lazar Samardzic, and why is he so important to Atalanta now?
Samardzic, 22, is a German midfielder who has started zero Champions League games this season — but has been subbed on in all four. He’s scored twice as a substitute: one in the 2-1 win over Bursaspor, and now this winner against Marseille. His work rate, positioning, and composure off the bench have made him Atalanta’s secret weapon — a player who thrives in chaos and capitalizes on defensive lapses.
Is this a sign that Atalanta can compete with Europe’s elite?
Absolutely. Atalanta’s defensive discipline, tactical flexibility, and ability to win tight games against top-tier opposition — including this win over a French giant — show they’re no longer just a Serie A surprise. With Ivan Juric at the helm and players like Samardzic stepping up, they’re building a reputation as one of Europe’s most dangerous counter-attacking teams.
