February 19 –Club Brugge stunned Serie A’s Atalanta Bergamo 3-1 to progress to the last 16 of the Champions League 5-2 on aggregate.
The Belgian champions travelled to Bergamo with a slender 2-1 lead from last week’s first leg, but they outclassed the Europa League champions on their own turf to create one of the upsets of the playoffs.
Brugge enjoyed the perfect first half with a brace from Chemsdine Talbi and a goal from Spanish striker Ferran Jutgla on the stroke of half-time. Mateo Retegui had a goal disallowed for offside, but the hosts regrouped and seconds after the restart Ademola Lookman got one back. Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen did not hesitate and substituted first-half hero Talbi for Hugo Siquet, a defensive reinforcement.
At the hour mark, goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, ex-Liverpool, saved Lookman’s penalty to prevent Atalanta from staging a true comeback. Following a lengthy VAR check, Christos Tzolis had been adjudged to have pulled back Juan Cuadrado.
“He should never have taken it,” said Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini. “He is one of the worst penalty takers I have ever seen. De Ketelaere and Retegui were designated. But Ademola was clearly still euphoric after his goal.”
In the 87th minute, Rafael Toloi was sent off, reducing Atalanta to ten men, but by then, Brugge were closing in on a remarkable victory. “We have to give Club Brugge credit for their qualification. Our elimination was deserved,” said Gasperini.
It was the third time Brugge have won on Italian soil in European competition. In 1975, Brugge defeated AS Roma 1-0 and in 2003 they prevailed with the same scoreline against AC Milan at the San Siro. On Tuesday, Milan were eliminated 2-1 on aggregate by Feyenoord.
Brugge march on to the last 16 where they will meet Lille or Aston Villa.
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