THE MATCH. Meeting at the Police Headquarters and Committee at the Prefecture for the Conference League challenge on August 20. Away fans escorted directly to the curve, enhanced controls and filtering of flags at the stadium entrance. Atalanta: for the black and blue fans, arrive at the stadium on time: gates open from 6:30 pm.
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Reading 1 min.Enhanced security ahead of Atalanta-Hapoel Tel Aviv, the first leg of the Conference League playoffs scheduled for Thursday, August 20 at 8:30 pm at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo. The match opens the two-legged tie that determines access to the main phase of the competition and represents the first official European commitment of the 2026/27 season for the black and blues.
Atalanta, De Ketelaere and Ahanor miss the match against Hapoel Tel Aviv
On the public order front, attention is especially high for the arrival of the Israeli fans. About a thousand, and according to some estimates over a thousand, supporters of Hapoel Tel Aviv are expected. After the technical meeting held on Tuesday, August 18 at the Police Headquarters, on the morning of Wednesday, August 19 the plan is further examined by the Provincial Committee for Public Order and Security at the Prefecture.
No flags and direct arrival at the stadium
The planned arrangement will mirror that already used in Bergamo for international matches considered more delicate, with a strengthening of the presence of law enforcement and particular attention to movements and the separation of fan flows. According to what emerged from the technical meetings, there will not be a true “lockdown” of the stadium area, but a prevention and control system comparable to that adopted on the occasion of the main European events hosted in Bergamo.
One of the novelties concerns the gathering point for away fans. Piazzale Alpini will not be used, an area traditionally used on other occasions and currently occupied by summer events. The initially identified solution was Campo Utili, near the stadium, but then it was decided to escort the Israeli fans directly to the stadium. The Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio club instead invites the black and blue fans to arrive at the stadium on time and reminds that the gates will open from 6:30 pm.
Particular attention will also be reserved for turnstile checks. A filtering of flags and materials introduced inside the New Balance Arena is planned: among the indications that emerged on the eve is the ban on Palestinian flags, a measure linked to public order assessments and the desire to avoid possible tensions in the stands.
The pickets and the protest
A picket against the Atalanta-Hapoel Tel Aviv match has been called for 6 pm on Thursday at via Alberto Pitentino 11, two and a half hours before kickoff at the New Balance Arena. It is promoted by the Network for Palestine Bergamo, which invites to “take to the streets” with the slogan “Show Hapoel the red card — Zionism out of sport”. Usb Bergamo has also announced its participation in the mobilization.
On the evening of Tuesday, August 18, the walls of the Bergamo stadium were illuminated by the Bergamo Land Crew of the Global Sumud Flotilla. A symbolic gesture to shine a spotlight on the war in Gaza and call for a stop to sports and commercial normalization with Israel.
