ANDONI Iraola’s first home match in charge of Cherries ended in a 3-1 defeat to Italian outfit Atalanta.
Atalanta, who finished fifth in Serie A last season, netted twice in the first half through Joakim Maehle and Teun Koopmeiners, before Marcos Senesi pulled one back.
The win was wrapped up late on, a wide free-kick again Cherries’ undoing, substitute Emmanuel Latte Lath firing home.
Cherries have one more friendly remaining, against FC Lorient on Saturday, before the Premier League campaign begins on August 12.
Iraola made three changes to the side which started Tuesday’s 3-2 win at Southampton. Match-winner David Brooks came into the XI, alongside Illia Zabarnyi and Justin Kluivert.
Chris Mepham and Dango Ouattara dropped to the bench, while Philip Billing was not in the squad.
Ryan Christie slotted into central midfield alongside Lewis Cook.
Atalanta took an early lead. Koopmeiners broke through on goal and was only denied by a stunning save from Neto, tipping onto the crossbar.
But the visitors quickly recycled the attack, Denmark international Maehle tucking home unmarked in the box.
Cherries looked for a quick response. Senesi found himself in an advanced position, picking out Brooks, who fired straight at goalkeeper Juan Musso.
Neither side could carve out another clear opening until after the half-hour mark in a well-contested battle.
Adam Smith’s cross was headed wide by Dominic Solanke, before Cherries’ striker felt he should have had a penalty.
Kluivert won possession high up the pitch, picking out Solanke, who headed goalwards. Musso missed the ball with his attempted punch, instead steaming into Solanke, but referee Craig Pawson waved away the claims.
Moments later, Cherries found themselves two goals down.
A misplaced pass from Senesi was cut out, despite the best efforts of Christie to retrieve possession. Koopmeiners was sent through on goal and made no mistake, slotting past Neto.
But the hosts hit straight back. A corner from Brooks was met by the head of Solanke, whose effort was cleared off the line. The ball fell kindly at the back post for Senesi, to slam high into the net.
Cherries made just one switch at half-time. Goalkeeper Andrei Radu, signed on loan from Inter Milan during the week, came on for his first appearance for the club.
Atalanta made a bright start to the half, former Everton winger Ademola Lookman doing well to beat Illia Zabarnyi, but he could not work Radu from close range.
Lookman again showed his quality just before the hour mark, twisting his way into the box, his low strike across goal flashing narrowly wide.
Cherries then enjoyed a good spell in attack. Senesi could not direct a header goalwards on the stretch, before Cook’s high pressing won a corner. The resulting set piece was worked out to Smith, whose long-range effort flew just wide.
Ouattara and Hamed Traore were looking lively after their introductions off the bench, the pair combining for the latter to try his luck from 20 yards, comfortably saved by substitute goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi.
The Italian side wrapped up the win in the closing minutes, Latte Lath slamming home after Cherries failed to clear a wide free-kick.
Cherries: Neto (Radu, h-t); Smith (Hill, 77), Zabarnyi, Senesi (Mepham, 65), Kerkez; Anthony, Christie (Rothwell, 77), Cook (Kilkenny, 77), Kluivert (Ouattara, 65); Brooks (Traore, 65); Solanke (Moore, 77).
Unused sub: Greenwood.
Atalanta: Musso (Carnesecchi, 73), Toloi (Mallamo, 87), Scalvini (Okoli, 82), Djimsiti, Ruggeri (Bakker, 54), Zappacosta (Ghislandi, 87), De Roon, Maehle (Kolasinac, 54), Koopmeiners (Bonfanti, 87), Lookman (Latte Lath, 73), Pasalic (Cambiaghi, 73).
Unused subs: Hojlund, Zortea, Rossi (g/k).
Referee: Craig Pawson.
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