February 13 – A late penalty from the boot of Gustaf Nilsson secured a 2-1 win for Club Brugge in the opening leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off against Atalanta.
Charles De Keteleare returned to his boyhood club and received a warm reception, but after fifteen minutes the hosts reminded him that the Jan Breydelstadion can be a daunting place to visit.
Spanish striker Ferran Jutglà capitalised on an Atalanta mistake to power home a Chemsdine Talbi cross to give the Belgian side an early lead.
Brugge controlled the majority of the first period, but Atalanta did provide a real threat up front with the likes of Mateo Retegui, Mario Pašalić and De Keteleare causing issues.
It was Pašalić who notched the equaliser just before the interval. He leapt highest to convert a David Zappacosta cross with a delightful header.
The Serie A outfit continued to threaten in the second period with Zappacosta and Lazar Samardžić squandering chances to give the visitors a first leg advantage. In the final ten minutes, De Keteleare could have decided the match, but his strike from the edge of the area lacked the necessary venom.
After a raft of changes from Club Brugge manager Nick Hayan, the hosts were awarded an injury time penalty by referee Halil Umut Meler as Isak Hien appeared to strike Nilsson with an elbow – the decision described by many pundits as soft. The Swedish striker did not hesitate from the spot for Brugge to claim victory.
It was the third time this season that the Belgians had faced an Italian side. In the group stages, they held Juventus to a goalless draw but fell 3-1 against AC Milan at the San Siro.
A fourth meeting with Serie A opposition next week will ultimately decide Club Brugge’s fate as they hunt for a round of 16 berth.
Contact the writer of this story Samindra Kunti at moc.l1739447222labto1739447222ofdlr1739447222owedi1739447222sni@i1739447222tnuk.1739447222ardni1739447222mas1739447222