Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv will face Italian side Atalanta tonight in Bergamo for the first leg of the UEFA Conference League Playoff round. Ahead of the clash, we have gathered all the statistical data, head-to-head history, and key details you need to know before kickoff.
Hapoel enters tonight’s away fixture in Bergamo with positive momentum. This past Sunday, the team recorded a dramatic victory over Hapoel Kiryat Shmona in the Toto Cup semi-finals, securing a ticket to the competition's final for the second consecutive year.
On the continental stage, the Reds returned to the spotlight this summer following a 12-year absence. Hapoel kicked off the campaign with a 2-0 "home" win (in Hungary) and a 2-2 away draw against Bulgarian side Ludogorets. In the following round, a 2-0 home victory and a 2-1 defeat in Poland against GKS Katowice (3-2 on aggregate) sealed their place in the Playoff round. The Reds now stand just two matches away from a historic qualification for the UEFA Conference League League phase.
Match Information
Date & Time: Thursday, August 20, 2026, 21:30
Competition: UEFA Conference League, Playoff Round (1st Leg)
Assistant Referees: Alfredo Rodríguez Moreno (Spain), Carlos Álvarez Fernández (Spain)
Video Assistant Referee (VAR): César Soto Grado (Spain)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee (AVAR): Jorge Figueroa Vázquez (Spain)
Fourth Official: Víctor García Verdura (Spain)
Broadcaster: Sport 4 HD
History Speaks
Tonight's clash against Atalanta will mark the fifth official European match in the club's history against Italian opposition, and the first in 24 years.
The previous encounters against Italian sides were etched in gold during the club's legendary 2001/2002 UEFA Cup run:
Round of 16 vs. Parma (2001/2002): The first leg opened at Bloomfield Stadium with a 0-0 draw in front of 16,300 spectators. In the return leg in Italy, the Reds stunned the hosts with an immense 1-2 victory courtesy of goals by Milan Osterc and István Pisont (both assisted by Pini Balili), securing a historic place in the quarter-finals.
Quarter-Finals vs. AC Milan (2001/2002): Due to the security situation, Hapoel's home leg was moved to Nicosia, Cyprus, where the Reds earned a sensational 1-0 win thanks to a goal by Serghei Cleșcenco assisted by Yossi Abukasis. In the return leg at the San Siro in front of 23,184 fans, Hapoel succumbed to a 2-0 defeat and was eliminated 2-1 on aggregate following an unforgettable campaign.
Know the Opponent
Atalanta, who won the UEFA Europa League in 2024 under Gian Piero Gasperini , arrives following a season in which they finished seventh in Serie A. The Bergamo side, currently managed by Maurizio Sarri, boasts a deep and high-caliber squad, presenting a formidable and challenging hurdle.
Numbers from the Past
The 58th Opponent: Hapoel Tel Aviv has faced 57 clubs from 35 different countries throughout its European history – Atalanta will be the 58th opponent.
Overall European Record: The upcoming fixture will be Hapoel's 115th match in European competitions, with the record to date standing at 51 wins, 21 draws, and 42 defeats.
Foreign Player Contribution: Of the 165 goals scored by Hapoel in European competitions, 43 goals (26.06%) were netted by foreign players.