Raffaele Palladino enjoyed the 1-1 draw between Roma and Atalanta, calling the Coppa Italia semi-final the most important match of the season. Atalanta took the lead, but Roma equalized just before halftime.
Key points
Raffaele Palladino enjoyed the match
Roma and Atalanta drew 1-1
Coppa Italia semi-final is crucial
Nikola Krstovic scored for Atalanta
Mario Hermoso equalized for Roma
RomaAtalanta
Palladino: ‘I enjoyed Roma 1-1 Atalanta, Coppa Italia most important match’
Palladino: ‘I enjoyed Roma 1-1 Atalanta, Coppa Italia most important match’
Raffaele Palladino ‘enjoyed myself’ watching Atalanta’s 1-1 draw with Roma, feeling either team could win it, but the Coppa Italia semi-final is ‘the most important match of the season.’
La Dea knew that this was their last real chance to challenge for a Champions League spot, and they had taken the lead at the Stadio Olimpico with the first Nikola Krstovic effort on goal.
However, Mario Hermoso’s acrobatic volley cancelled it out on the stroke of half-time, and the defender almost got a second when his header bounced off the crossbar.
Marco Carnesecchi made several big saves and was named Lega Serie A Man of the Match, but this point was not the birthday present Palladino had hoped for.
Palladino relishing Atalanta performances
ROME, ITALY – APRIL 18: Nikola Krstovic of Atalanta is challenged by Evan Ndicka of AS during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on April 18, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Q&A
What did Raffaele Palladino say about the Roma vs Atalanta match?
Raffaele Palladino expressed that he enjoyed the match and emphasized its importance as the most significant of the season.
Who scored the goals in the Roma vs Atalanta Coppa Italia match?
Nikola Krstovic scored for Atalanta, while Mario Hermoso equalized for Roma with an acrobatic volley.
Why is the Coppa Italia semi-final important for Atalanta?
The Coppa Italia semi-final is crucial for Atalanta as it represents their last real chance to compete for a Champions League spot.
What happened just before halftime in the Roma vs Atalanta match?
Just before halftime, Mario Hermoso scored an equalizer for Roma, nearly adding a second goal shortly after with a header that hit the crossbar.
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“It was a good game of football played between two teams who wanted to win, playing with intensity, courage and quality. I’ll be honest, I enjoyed myself tonight,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia.
“We took on a team that was eager to beat us, especially as we beat them earlier this season. Coming here into this atmosphere with such spirit was not easy, so I congratulated my players.
“It was an open match and frankly either side could’ve won it, as we had the chances to go 2-0 up, and then they had opportunities in the second half. We take this point and feel it is probably the right result.”
This result means Atalanta remain in seventh place and four points adrift of Roma in sixth, so it will be a struggle to make up that ground now.
Winning the Coppa Italia could therefore be their best chance of qualifying for the Europa League, and they host Lazio in Wednesday’s semi-final, after the first leg ended 2-2.
“I won’t say this was a wasted opportunity, as we closed one point from Como and stayed at the same distance from Roma. We won’t give up to the last game, I think against Juventus and Roma they were two really good performances, showing we’ll fight it out with anyone,” noted Palladino.
“Now the semi-final of the Coppa Italia is probably our most important match of the season so far, we really want to get into the Final.”
ROME, ITALY – APRIL 18: Donyell Malen of AS Roma is challenged by Berat Djimsiti of Atalanta during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on April 18, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Atalanta made three changes at half-time, two of them in defence, so what was behind that decision?
“Giorgio Scalvini had a knock to the hip and was struggling to keep up the pace of the game, while Kolasinac had a slight muscular twinge and we will need to evaluate it over the next few days. With an eye on Wednesday, I didn’t want to take any risks.
“Charles De Ketelaere wasn’t sharp today, as he had flu earlier this week and didn’t have his usual energy. We had trouble with our defenders in the first half, but they were largely physical issues.”
ROME, ITALY – APRIL 18: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta is challenged by Bryan Cristante of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on April 18, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Gianluca Scamacca was expected to start this evening, but Krstovic got the nod and scored the opening goal. Could they play together?
“I have faith in both strikers, they will prove themselves when given the chance. I needed players with different characteristics today, as Nikola can attack the space more, whereas Gianluca tends to connect with the midfield. Whether they can play together next season, I don’t know, we’ve got time to think about that.”
