Pre-Match Report

U19s preview: Atalanta BC v Arsenal

atalanta youth

Our under-19s will kick off their UEFA Youth League campaign with an exciting trip to Bergamo to face Atalanta on Thursday, September 19 at Stadio Comunale. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:30pm (UK time).

The under-19 UEFA Youth League schedule mirrors that of our senior side, meaning we’ll face Atalanta, Sporting, Inter, and Girona away, while hosting PSG, Monaco, Dinamo Zagreb, and Shakhtar Donetsk at home.

Last season, we bowed out at the group stage, so we’ll be eager to make a deeper run in the competition this time around.

How the Competition Works
 

The top eight teams after eight games played will qualify directly for the round of 16, while teams finishing 9th to 24th will compete in a two-legged knock-out phase play-off to secure their spot in the last 16. Teams finishing 25th or lower will be eliminated.


A look at Atalanta

Atalanta’s U19 side is primarily made up of players from their Primavera (U20s) squad, which competes in the Campionato Primavera 1. The U20s currently sit 11th in the league, with 5 points from four games. However, they enter this fixture on a high after a thrilling 4-3 victory over Sampdoria U20s last Sunday.

Historically, Atalanta’s Primavera side has had success, finishing 4th last season and winning back-to-back titles in 2018/19 and 2019/20. In terms of their UEFA Youth League experience, Atalanta has qualified three times previously. Their best performance came in the 2019/20 season, where they topped their group and reached the round of 16 before being knocked out by Lyon on penalties. The 2020/21 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2021/22, they exited at the group stage.

How to follow

Stay connected with live updates via our Academy's X page. After the final whistle, visit Arsenal.com for a full match report and highlights of all the action.