Dinamo came so close to capitalising on captain Zvonimir Boban's masterful strike and their good performances in both matches to advance to the next round. However, the wheel of fortune turned the other way. Dinamo and Atalanta met in the autumn of 1990 in the first round of the UEFA Cup, and the Zagreb side played a very good match in the first leg away in Bergamo, creating chances but also missing opportunities, which ultimately cost them progression.

The return leg in Zagreb was also undecided, 1-1, with Atalanta advancing to the next round thanks to their away goal. The Italian team was led by the famous Claudio Caniggia, at that time one of the biggest stars in world football. Just a few months earlier, Caniggia had shone at the World Cup in Italy, where he scored the winning goal for Argentina against Brazil in a 1-0 victory in the round of 16. Argentina went on to reach the final, where they were stopped by West Germany.

At Maksimir, between the two matches against Atalanta, there was a change of manager. Josip Kuže left the bench, and Zdenko Kobešćak took his place.

The matches against Atalanta are particularly remembered because it marked captain Boban's return after four months of absence due to suspension. He was punished for the well-known events during the abandoned match between Dinamo and Red Star Belgrade on 13 May 1990.

In the return leg against Atalanta, the Blues were close to taking the lead in the first half, and it was almost incredible how the ball didn't find the net. Boban crossed from the left, Kujtim Shala headed from five metres on the far side, after which the ball bounced off one post to the other and then into the field.

Shortly after, the visitors also threatened, with Roberto Bordin heading the ball, which also hit the post...

An eruption from the stands thundered in the 54th minute after Boban's masterful goal. He struck from a free kick 25 metres out on the left side, launching the ball with his right foot into the near corner.

However, just eight minutes later, everything was calmed by German referee Siegfried Kirschen, who rashly awarded a penalty after Caniggia fell in the penalty area. Brazilian Evair scored from the spot and the score remained unchanged. When Davor Šuker was also sent off about twenty minutes before the end, the hopes of Maksimir fans for Dinamo's progression completely faded.

After the Maksimir match, there was a confrontation between some home fans and around 300 ultras from Italy. There were many injured and arrested.

Dinamo coach Kobešćak later commented: "We played very well, but it didn't help. There was hardly any mistake, we outplayed a very strong and very good Atalanta team. As for the penalty, I would like all of Europe to see that shameful referee's decision."

Exactly two weeks after the return leg between Dinamo and Atalanta, the historic match between the Croatian national team and the USA was played at Maksimir Stadium.