BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Players of Atalanta celebrates victory following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Italy legend Alessandro Costacurta admits he ‘didn’t believe’ in Atalanta’s comeback against Borussia Dortmund and draws a parallel between Mario Pasalic and Franco Baresi.
Atalanta shocked Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night, beating the Bundesliga side 4-1 in Bergamo to qualify for the Champions League Round of 16 with a 4-3 aggregate win.
Costacurta compares Pasalic to Baresi
It was an epic night in Bergamo as La Dea scored the winner with a penalty kick at minute 98.
“It’s an extraordinary feat. I admit I didn’t believe in it, but they put in a fantastic performance, a feat,” ex-Italy and Milan defender Costacurta told Sky Sport Italia.
“It’s not something every team can do. They’ve entered an elite, especially after such a performance,” the ex-defender continued.
“Pasalic has to be highlighted. It had been since the days of Franco Baresi in 1994 that I hadn’t seen a player take a team by the hand the way he did.”