BERGAMO (ITALPRESS) – A broken dream. La Dea gives up and, surprisingly, says goodbye to Europe, cashing in their second defeat in as many challenges against Bruges. Atalanta lost 3-1 to the Belgians and was eliminated from the Champions League. Nothing to do for the Bergamasks who had the task of overturning the 1-2 in the first leg, but after a disastrous first half Gian Piero Gasperini’s team had to surrender and accept the verdict of the field that ended the Bergamasks’ European adventure. Without Hien – first-degree injury of the left long adductor muscle, about three weeks stop – and with Lookman at half service, the Nerazzurri coach deployed the usual 3-4-1-2 with De Ketelaere and Retegui supported by Pasalic. Kolasinac’s header opened the dance, but after just three minutes Talbi, on an assist from Jutglà, unlocked the score, complicating the Nerazzurri’s path even more. The hosts, struck cold, struggled to sketch a reaction: Bruges practically dominated in the middle of the field, Dea struggled to baste even the simplest of possessions. The guest 2-0 came again with Talbi at 27′: Jashari escaped on the left, Tzolis kicked at goal but on the rebound came the 19-year-old for the one-two and practically condemning Atalanta to elimination, never in the game. The first half ended with the third guest goal: the hosts’ three untaken chances (Zappacosta’s post, Mignolet’s save on Pasalic, and Cuadrado’s shot cleared on the line by Mechele) were cancelled out in the 48′ by Jutglà’s goal.In the second half Gasperini relied on Lookman, who returned after a three-week layoff due to knee discomfort: the Nigerian took 40 seconds to rekindle hopes by finding the 3-1. In the 16th minute the match director, after a lengthy consultation with Var and on field review, awarded a penalty kick for a foul by Tzolis on Cuadrado, but Lookman himself was hypnotized by Mignolet. From that moment on, the Nerazzurri were no longer able to trouble Mignolet; after a foot save on Retegui, Hayen’s team no longer suffered. Nervousness in the final with Toloi getting himself sent off at 42′ after voluntarily tackling De Cuyper. The party was Bruges, Atalanta chewed bitterly: the Nerazzurri will now only think about the championship, on Sunday afternoon at 6 p.m. they will take on Empoli. – Photo Ipa Agency -(ITALPRESS).
