Atalanta were knocked out of the Champions League by Club Brugge. They needed to win at home by three goals to stand a chance of qualifying for the next round, but the reverse was the case as they suffered a 3-1 defeat.
Three first-half goals helped Club Brugge progress. Chemsdine Talbi opened the scoring in the third minute, netting the club’s fastest goal in the competition.
Talbi completed his brace in the 27th minute, making him the youngest Belgian to score a brace in the UEFA Champions League.
Ferran Jutglà wrapped up the game for Club Brugge in first-half stoppage time through a swift counterattack, after Davide Zappacosta and Juan Cuadrado had both hit the woodwork. The goal sealed a 5-1 aggregate victory for the Belgian side.
Ademola Lookman was introduced immediately after the restart, and it didn’t take long for him to pull a goal back for Atalanta. The hosts were later awarded a spot-kick in the 59th minute after Cuadrado was fouled in the box. Lookman stepped up but was denied by former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
The commentator described it as a terrible penalty.
Things got worse for Atalanta after Rafael Toloi was shown a red card in the 87th minute. The defender lost his cool and pushed Maxim De Cuyper, who had prevented him from taking a quick throw-in.
The win was Club Brugge’s first away victory in the UEFA Champions League against Italian opposition.
Atalanta’s season is almost over, having been knocked out of both the Champions League and the Coppa Italia. They are five points behind Serie A leaders Napoli, and only a miracle can help them win the league title.
Leave a Reply