Hello and welcome to the Belgian city of Brugge for tonight’s UEFA Champions League Knockout phase first leg between Club Brugge KV and Atalanta B.C of Bergamo, northern Italy.
#GoAtalantaGo
#PlayForUnforgettable
Both line-ups include names familiar to viewers of the Premier League, Brugge have former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet between the posts, whilst Atalanta have ex-Chelsea wingback Davide Zappacosta and ex-Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio featuring for the reigning UEFA Europa League winners.
1′ The referee’s whistle sounds to kick-off tonight’s clash, with both teams hoping to take a first leg lead back to Italy
Embed from Getty Images7′ First shot of the game goes to the home side as Christos Tzolis is given space on the edge of the Atalanta penalty area and his shot is stopped by Rui Patricio in an early warning to the Italians as Brugge start strongly
13′ A great pass pass from Montassar Talbi for Brugge sets Tzolis through but the Atalanta defence get back well to clear the danger
15′ GOALLL CLUB BRUGGE!! It’s been coming! the Belgians pounce on a mistake from Atalanta and Talbi’s pass finds the number nine Ferran Jutgla who spins and shoots on the half-volley in one quick movement to fire a powerful strike into the back of Patricio’s net leaving him with no chance. Advantage Brugge in Belgium!
Embed from Getty Images20′ Atalanta just haven’t been able to live with the intensity of Brugge so far and the goal comes as no surprise given how the first twenty minutes has played out. How will Gasperini’s side respond?
21′ Another chance falls for the home side in the box as the captain Hans Vanaken sees a shot blocked following a low free-kick, the resulting corner is cleared by more pressure is being piled on by Brugge in this first half
24′ First real chance for the away team as Zappacosta controls the ball on his chest in the box abut his volleyed attempt is high and wide, a poor effort but some encouragement for Atalanta
28′ For the first time in the game Mignolet is called into action as Austrian defender Stefan Posch strikes from distance which is held by the Brugge goalkeeper. Atalanta seem to be growing into this one now
Embed from Getty Images30′ BIG CHANCE! So nearly two for Brugge as De Cuyper finds himself with space on the left-hand side of the penalty area as the ball comes to him, his strike is clean and powerful but just the wrong side of the net.
39′ BIG CHANCE! Atalanta’s top scorer Mateo Retegui has his first sight at goal as he stabs a shot just wide of Mignolet’s post with the outside of the boot with clearly Atalanta’s biggest chance so far
41′ GOALLL ATALANTA BERGMAMO EQUALISE!! Seconds after Retegui nearly scored, the Italians find their goal through a towering header from Mario Pasalic as the Croatian rises highest to head in from a pin-point Zappacosta cross. They haven’t shown too much in this first half but it’s game on now!
Embed from Getty ImagesHALF-TIME: An entertaining first half in Brugge comes to an end with the score level at 1-1 with both teams having chances in front of goal and the prize of a first-leg lead to take to Bergamo is still very much up for grabs for both of these sides!
46′ The second half is underway, will either team take an advantage going into next week’s second leg…?
51′ A low-key start to the second half, a ball is flashed across the Atalanta box but it is dealt well by the Italian side’s defence
52′ CLOSE! Brugge so close to re-taking the lead early on in the second half as a low and powerful volley from Maxim De Cuyper is struck just wide of the post after the ball fell to him on the left-hand side. A let off for Atalanta…
57′ CHANCE! Another chance for Club Brugge who have started this half the same as they started the first. A low shot looked promising but eventually landed straight at Mingolet, more encouragement for the home side
65′ BIG CHANCE! A deep cross from Atalanta substitute Juan Cuadrado find the head of Davide Zappacosta but the wing-back’s header is well saved low down by Mingolet
66′ HUGE CHANCE! It should be 1-2 Atalanta! the ball finds the other subsitute for the away team, Lazar Samardzic, but the Serbian hits his effort wide when he looked certain to score. Will he go on to regret that miss?
78′ A quiet period in the game now as we reach the latter stages. Will there be a late winner…?
82′ CHANCE! Mingolet tested again with a powerful strike from Charles De Keetalere but the shot is parried wide by the Brugge goalkeeper. It’s been the away side that have come closest to taking the lead in the second half so far as we close in on minute ninety
89′ CHANCE! Yet another chance for Atalanta who have been the better team in the second period, a short corner is played to Cuadrado and he lets fly but Mingolet holds well
90′ Three minutes added on…
90+1′ PENALTY CLUB BRUGGE! Late drama here in Belgium!
90+2′ VAR checking…meanwhile yellow cards are being branded by the referee… check over and the penalty is given Nilssen to take…
90+4′ GOALLLLLLLLL CLUB BRUGGE HAVE SURELY WON IT!!! It’s harsh on Atalanta after what looked a harsh call but take nothing away from Caspar Nilssen who showed no nerves by smashing the ball low into the net to give Club Brugge the advantage in the tie!
FULL-TIME: Wow what drama! it looked like both teams would have to settle for a draw, however a last-minute penalty for Club Brugge sees the team from Belgium steal a goal advantage ahead of next week’s second leg in Bergamo. Atalanta players and staff are furious with the referee following the whistle, but Club Brugge and their supporters will be delighted with what is a huge result for Nicky Hayen and his team.