Good evening, everyone, my name is Oliver and welcome to the live blog where I will be covering the first leg of UEFA Champions League (UCL) play-off between Club Brugge and Atalanta. The hosts squeezed into the league phase top24 on goal difference, while in-form Italian machine Atalanta missed out top8 by only one point and finished ninth.
Nicky Hayen’s side is currently second in Belgian Jupiler League with 51 points, six behind league leaders KRC Genk. The visitors are flying in the Serie A as Gian Piero Gasperini’s team sits third in the table, only five points behind first SSC Napoli. “Les Gazzeles” go into the game following a 1-0 victory against Leuven, whereas Atalanta trashed Hellas Verona 5-0 away from home.
Players to Watch:
Mateo Retegui – The 25-years-old is in staggering form at the moment as he scored four goals in his last league game against Hellas and already registered 20 Serie A goals. Retegui is a natural finisher, dominates in the box, and attracts interest from various top clubs in the Europe.
Charles De Ketelaere – Former Club Brugge academy player who made it into the first team currently shines in Italy. The 23-years-old midfielder joined Atalanta from AC Milan last summer and made immediate impact under Gasperini. De Ketelaere has four goals and five assists in Champions League this season and is a creative brain behind Atalanta’s recent success.
Kick off: 17:45
Official Lineups:
1′ – The referee Halil Umut Meler blows the whistle and the match is underway.
6′ – Simone Mignolet catches Ederson’s high cross. Both teams started the game very carefully without any unnecessary risks.
7′ – Christos Tzolis with the first chance of the game but he could not bury the promising counter attack. Rui Patricio makes an easy save.
14′ – Beautiful line breaking pass to Tzolis who had no time to take a shot. Good recovery by Atalanta defenders.
15′- GOOOAL!!! Ferran Jutgla opens the scoreline for Club Brugge with a beautiful volley. Sloppy pass by Isak Hien was intercepted by Chemsdine Talbi who found Jutgla and he didn’t miss. Former Barcelona striker scored his first Champions League goal this season.
23′ – The opener definitely helped Brugge. The hosts look confident on the ball, aggressive in duels and are slowly grabbing the momentum into their hands.
28′ – First shot on target for Atalanta as Stefan Posch volleyed the ball straight into Mignolet’s hands.
30′ – Despite the well-known tactical system and precise defensive structure Atalanta have, Brugge run through their midfield with ease. La Dea look vulnerable in the middle of the park and struggled in transitions in the first 30 minutes of the game. Tzolis’ another attempt went out wide.
38′– Quiet last few minutes as both teams do not want to risk anything before the end of the first half. Atalanta, however, are slightly pushing for an equaliser.
41′ GOOOAL!!! Mario Pašalić equalises the game with a wonderful header. Davide Zappacosta with a quick throw-in and pin-point delivery for the Croatian midfielder who added his third Champions League goal this season. Cruel punishment for Club Brugge.
HALF TIME: Club Brugge started very well, and deservedly scored the opener thanks to Jutgla’s strike. Brugge caught Atalanta sleeping, were threatening on transition, and won most of their duels and second balls. Atalanta improved at the end of the first half when Pašalić scored out of nothing. Gasperini’s side looked like an experienced side with clear plan, which we could see in the opening half, as they did not rush for the equaliser, despite losing, and slowly took their best chance before the break.
Embed from Getty Images46′ – The second half at Jan Breydel Stadium is underway.
51′ – Similarly to the first half, very careful start from both teams without any significant chance.
53′ – A promising half-volley from Maxim De Cuyper following a dangerous cross by Talbi. Atalanta managed to block the danger. Brugge are actively looking for a winner now.
Embed from Getty Images58′ – Poor touch and miscommunication between Patricio and Raoul Bellanova led to the first Brugge’s corner but the hosts did not execute it properly.
65′ – Brilliant cross from the substitute Juan Cuadrado found Zappacosta but Mignolet showed quick reflexes.
66′ – Another quick combination from the visitors finished off by Lazar Samardžić’s strike. The Serbian midfielder missed target by a couple inches.
83′ – Nice combination between De Ketelaere and Marco Brescianni finished by decent strike from the Belgian. Mignolet denied the shot with quick save. Another corner for the visitors.
89′ – Final minutes of the game and it looks like both teams will have to settle for a draw in the first leg.
90′ – Quickly taken corner went to Cuadrado who took a shot with his weak foot but Mignolet again stopped his effort.
91′ – PENALTY!!! All Atalanta players were in shock when the referee Meler blew the whistle. Hein brought the substitute Gustaf Nilsson down and gave the referee no other choice than to give the penalty to the hosts. VAR checked the whole situation and it really is a penalty for Club Brugge.
92′ – While waiting for the decision Cuadrado received the yellow card for protesting while Hein was awarded a yellow card for the tackle.
94′ – GOOOAL!!! Crucial goal for Club Brugge. Nilsson converted the penalty with ease and gives Brugge a massive advantage ahead of the second leg in Bergamo.
FULL TIME: Chaotic finish of the game gives Club Brugge massive advantage to the second leg. Even though it looked like the game will finish without no more goals, the Swedish striker Nilsson converted his penalty in the additional time and won the game for Brugge. Atalanta conceded from a controversial penalty which left both the players and their manager in absolute shock. Gasperini will have a work to do before the second leg as Club Brugge were threatening, tenacious, and certainly did not look like a underdog.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe second will take place next week on 18th February at 20:00 in Bergamo.