Atalanta were left infuriated and disbelieving after a preposterous penalty call in stoppage time secured Club Brugge’s 2-1 win in the first leg of the Champions League play-off.
La Dea were missing several key players such as Matteo Ruggeri, Ademola Lookman, Daniel Maldini, Sead Kolasinac, Odilon Kossounou, Giorgio Scalvini, and Gianluca Scamacca, while Marco Carnesecchi was still struggling with flu symptoms. Club Brugge had impressive wins against Aston Villa and Sporting in the league stage, held Juventus to a 0-0 draw, and lost to Milan when they were down to 10 players.
The home team started aggressively, with Christos Tzolis threatening on counter-attacks, especially when he took down Berat Djimsiti and had his shot blocked by Raoul Bellanova. They took the lead when Stefan Posch failed to intercept an Isak Hien pass, which was then picked up by Chemsdine Talbi and passed to Ferran Jutglà, who took a touch and scored with his right foot. Atalanta struggled to get into the game, but as the game progressed, Brugge’s pressing intensity decreased and the visitors gained more control. After Mateo Retegui missed a shot, Davide Zappacosta’s cross was headed in by Mario Pasalic from 12 yards.
Brugge came back strong in the second half and had a great chance when two players collided while trying to reach Talbi’s pass, and then Maxim De Cuyper’s shot missed inches wide. Atalanta’s coach Gian Piero Gasperini made two substitutions that almost paid off immediately, with Juan Cuadrado’s cross finding Zappacosta for a save from Simon Mignolet and then Lazar Samardzic missing a one-on-one opportunity. De Ketelaere, who came from the Club Brugge academy, received applause from the home fans after his powerful shot was saved by the goalkeeper following a give and go with Samardzic. Cuadrado’s shot was also saved by Mignolet after a short corner, but the game and the tie took a turn with a controversial penalty call in stoppage time. Umut Teler awarded a penalty to Club Brugge, believing that Isak Hien had hit Gustaf Nilsson’s nose with his arm while intercepting a pass, leaving Hien confused and Gasperini furious.
Despite VAR’s review, the decision remained unchanged as there was minimal contact, and Nilsson scored to secure Club Brugge’s win. Atalanta understandably expressed their anger and there was tension after the game ended.
