BERGAMO (ITALPRESS) – Atalanta overwhelmed Sturm Graz 5-0 and arithmetically passed the first phase of the Champions League. Decisive goals by Retegui, Pasalic, De Ketelaere, Lookman and Brescianini, now the Nerazzurri will take on Barcelona in the last fixture of the maxi-giron to see if they can go to the round of 16 without going through the playoffs. First success of 2025 for the Bergamasks, tonight’s at the Gewiss Stadium is also their first home win in the Champions League. Gian Piero Gasperini tried some strategic changes by giving Ederson some breathing room and fielding young Palestra from the first minute. The first real chance was the one built by the guests with Camara who, after a defensive misreading by Kolasinac, came in front of Carnesecchi but kicked wide. Soon after, on 12′, Atalanta unlocked the match with Retegui: Zappacosta’s ball into the box after a defensive mix-up, the Italo-Argentine only had to push into the net for his third goal in the Champions League. From then on, the Bergamasks struggled a lot to find space, several untapped opportunities to virtually close out the match. The double entry in the second half of Cuadrado and Lookman changed the fortunes of the match, the Dea began to press consistently hammering the Austrians especially on the outside lanes: after a goal cancelled out to De Ketelaere for offside, within five minutes – 13′ and 18′ – the Orobici filed the file first with Pasalic then with the Belgian former Milan player. The 3-0 finally discouraged Saumel’s team, the Nerazzurri continued to push forward despite the result. In the final Lookman header and Brescianini with a personal action inside the host area scored the fourth and fifth goals that could be decisive in the standings because of the goal difference. Next Wednesday the Nerazzurri will face Barcelona in the last match, all 18 games will be played at the same time.- Photo Image -(ITALPRESS).
