Club Brugge secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Atalanta in their UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off first leg.
The match ended in controversy as a late penalty in stoppage time sealed the win for the Belgian side.
Early Dominance by Club Brugge
The home team started with confidence, taking charge of the game early on.
Their attacking play paid off in the 15th minute when Ferran Jutgla struck a well-placed shot past Atalanta’s goalkeeper.
This goal came after excellent buildup play from Chemsdine Talbi, who drove into the box before setting up Jutgla for a clinical finish.
Club Brugge continued pressing, looking to extend their lead. Maxim De Cuyper came close but found the side netting, while Christos Tzolis and Talbi dominated the midfield battle.
However, despite their attacking intent, Brugge failed to capitalize further, and that allowed Atalanta to find a way back.
Atalanta Strike Back Before Halftime
Atalanta struggled to get into the game during the first half, but they finally showed their quality just before halftime.
Mario Pasalic made the most of a rare attacking chance, heading home a beautiful cross from Davide Zappacosta. It was a well-timed goal that gave the Italian side hope going into the second half.
The momentum shifted slightly, and Atalanta looked more threatening after the break.
Substitute Lazar Samardzic had a golden opportunity to put Atalanta ahead, but his low shot went just wide of the far post.
Minutes later, goalkeeper Simon Mignolet pulled off a superb save to deny Zappacosta’s header, keeping the score level.
Late Drama and Controversial Penalty
As the match neared its end, both teams pushed for a winner. Charles De Ketelaere, who was facing his former club, forced a great save from Mignolet with a powerful strike from outside the box.
Just when it seemed like the game would end in a draw, controversy struck. In the dying minutes of stoppage time, Gustaf Nilsson went down in the box after a challenge from Isak Hien.
The referee wasted no time in pointing to the spot, and despite Atalanta’s protests, the decision stood. VAR did not overturn the call, leaving the Italian side furious.
Nilsson kept his composure and calmly slotted the penalty past Rui Patricio, sending the Jan Breydel Stadium into wild celebrations. The goal gave Club Brugge a crucial one-goal advantage heading into the second leg.
What’s Next?
Atalanta now faces an uphill battle in the return leg in Bergamo next week. They were already missing key players, including Ademola Lookman, due to injuries and illness. They will need to regroup and put in a strong performance at home if they want to advance.
Meanwhile, Club Brugge will look to hold onto their advantage. If they manage to get past Atalanta, they will face either Lille or Aston Villa in the next round.
Stay Updated with Bangbet News Tanzania
This Champions League clash delivered drama, controversy, and thrilling football. The second leg promises to be another must-watch encounter.
Stay tuned to Bangbet News Tanzania for all the latest updates on football, match results, and betting tips.
Don’t forget to place your bets on Bangbet Tanzania for upcoming matches in the EPL, Champions League, and other top leagues.
We provide match predictions so you can make informed bets and increase your chances of winning!
