Good evening and welcome to a live blogging of the first leg of the Champions League qualifying round between Club Brugge and Atalanta. The winner of the tie will advance into the round of 16 where they will meet either Lille or Aston Villa.
Club Brugge have won three of their last five matches in the Belgian Pro League, but have just three wins in eight UCL matches so far. Meanwhile, Atalanta sit third in the Serie A standings and have gone unbeaten in five of their last six games across all competitions. Star striker Mateo Retegui comes into the game on the back of slotting four goals past Verona.
Official lineups are as follows:
1′ – The game has kicked off at the Jan Breeder Stadium. #BRUATA
5′ – Christos Tzolis tries to spark the game into life by threading the ball through a needle in the penalty area, but it runs out for a goal kick.
7′ – Tzolis’ strike from distance stings the palms of Rui Patricio.
Embed from Getty Images13′ – Club Brugge breakaway from the Atalanta press and find Ferran Jutgla in behind who wins a first corner of the night for the hosts.
15′ – Goal!!! Jutgla rifles home a half volley into the top corner. The Spaniard connected perfectly with the ball after an inconvenient first touch. Chemsdine Talbi latched onto a misplaced pass from Atalanta to create a goal out of nothing.
18′ – Retegui’s deflected header sails wide to deny the visitors a quick response to falling behind.
24′ – The Belgian side are looking the most likely out of the two clubs to score the second goal of the game. Atalanta are struggling to find their feet in front of an intimidating and excited crowd.
27′ – Retegui flicks on an in swinging cross, however it is well dealt with by Joel Ordonez inside his own six yard box.
Embed from Getty Images30′ – A well worked move allows the hosts to outnumber Atalanta in the final third and unleash an attempt which is just wide of the target.
39′ – Gian Piero Gasperini’s side fall short once again and fail to hit the target after a positive move.
40′ – Retegui pokes the ball wide after it sat up for him outside of the box. Luck is not falling the way of the Italian side so far.
41′ – Goal!!! Atalanta level the tie through Mario Pasalic. Simon Mignolet was rooted to the spot following a looped header from the Croatian. We are level again here in Brugge.
Half time 1-1. The two sides enter the break on level terms.
Embed from Getty ImagesKick off – The second half is underway. #ChampionsLeague
Embed from Getty Images49′ – Talbi blazes over the first effort of the half.
52′ – Maxim De Cuyper fires a bullet just wide on the half volley. It’s been all Club Brugge so far this half.
63′ Gasperini looks to swing momentum as he makes the following substitutions. #UCL #Atalanta
65′ – Juan Cuadrado makes an instant impact, creating a chance which the visitors waste.
Embed from Getty Images73′ Brugge are becoming more urgent to secure a victory at home, whilst Atalanta seem more reserved and protective of the current score line.
81′ – The match has become tense. Both teams are afraid of putting a foot wrong.
83′ – Charles De Ketelaere forces Mignolet into a diving save to stop his team from falling behind.
90′ – Brugge were caught sleeping from an Atalanta corner, but Cuadrado could not steer his powerful effort away from Mignolet in goal.
91′ – Penalty to Club Brugge. The hosts have a chance to lead the tie right at the death after Isak Hien brough down Gustaf Nilsson.
94′ – Goal!!! Nilsson who won the penalty, makes Atalanta pay. The first leg of the #UCL tie goes Club Brugge’s way.
Full time Club Brugge 2-1 Atalanta
Club Brugge controversially pipped Atalanta to victory in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 qualifier.
Gustaf Nilsson’s converted a penalty which was questionablly awarded to the hosts in the dying moments of the match.
Ferran Jutla’s sweet strike put the hosts ahead early on in the first half, before Atalanta replied through Mario Pasalic before half time.
Gasperini’s side were punished for not being good enough on the nigh, however they will get the chance do right their wrongdoings next week and overcome their ne goal deficit in front of their own fans in Bergamo.