In their first-ever meeting, Barcelona and Atalanta played an exciting 2-2 draw, which saw Atalanta fall out of the top eight in the UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona hosted Atalanta at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, with a chance to move to the top of their group, although that wouldn’t matter much since they were already guaranteed a spot in the last 16. Atalanta needed a win to join Barcelona in the top eight.
The game started without much pressure, with both teams not really pushing for an early goal. Atalanta had some chances, but shots from Sead Kolašinac and Davide Zappacosta didn’t trouble Barcelona’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny. Mateo Retegui also had a chance, but Szczęsny saved his shot. Just before halftime, Zappacosta thought he had scored, but VAR ruled the goal out for an offside in the buildup.
Barcelona took the lead early in the second half when Raphinha passed the ball to Lamine Yamal, who easily slotted it into the bottom corner. Yamal almost scored again soon after, but his shot was blocked by an Atalanta defender.
Atalanta didn’t give up and equalized when Éderson scored from long range, the ball going in off the post. However, Barcelona quickly regained the lead when Ronald Araújo headed in a Raphinha corner. Atalanta responded again when Marten de Roon set up Mario Pašalić, who scored with a first-time shot to make it 2-2.
Neither team managed to score again, and Barcelona finished in second place in their group, securing their spot in the UCL last 16. Atalanta missed the chance to move into the top eight and will now have to go through the knockout rounds.
