Champions League: Atalanta suffer late defeat at Club Brugge

Atalanta suffered a 2-1 defeat that left them furious after a ridiculous stoppage-time penalty decision sealed victory for Club Brugge’s 2-1 I. The first leg of the Champions League play-off.

La Dea missed out on the direct Round of 16 access by only a point and, therefore, had to take this route. 

Club Brugge beat Aston Villa and Sporting in the league phase, holding Juventus to a 0-0 draw and capitulating away to Milan when down to 10 men to reach this stage.

The hosts made a very aggressive start and threatened with counter-attacks from Christos Tzolis. He then sent Berat Djimsiti to the ground and had his shot charged down by Raoul Bellanova.

They took a deserved lead as they punished Stefan Posch, who was caught napping on an Isak Hien pass intercepted by Chemsdine Talbi to roll across for Ferran Jutglà, who took a touch and smashed in with his right foot.

While Atalanta struggled to get a foothold in the game, they eventually got their groove back as time wore on, the intensity of the Brugge pressing faded.

As the visitors took more control, Mateo Retegui drilled wide, and Davide Zappacosta floated in a cross for the Mario Pasalic, looping header into the far top corner from 12 yards to restore parity.

Club Brugge returned the intensity after the restart and had a huge double opportunity, as the first two players went for the same Talbi pull-back and collided on the penalty spot, then the move continued for Maxim De Cuyper, who drilled his efforts inches wide.

A double substitution from Gian Piero Gasperini almost paid off immediately, as first Juan Cuadrado’s cross found Zappacosta at the back post to force a desperate save, while Lazar Samardzic was sent clear only to drill wide one-on-one with Simon Mignolet.

De Ketelaere, a graduate of Club Brugge Academy, was applauded by the home fans when his scorcher stung the goalkeeper’s gloves after a give-and-go with Samardzic.

Cuadrado also fired straight at Mignolet from a short corner.

Incidentally, the game and tie turned with a frankly ridiculous refereeing decision in stoppages.

The referee, Umut Teler, awarded a spot kick for the hosts as Isak Hien grazed Gustaf Nilsson’s nose with an arm as he cut him off to intercept the through ball.

The decision left Hien utterly bemused and Gasperini livid. VAR could not change the decision made on the pitch as there was contact, even if it was minimal, and Nilsson converted to give Club Brugge the victory.

Expressing their anger, the furious visitors created some tension after the final whistle.