February 19 –Membership Brugge shocked Serie A’s Atalanta Bergamo 3-1 to progress to the final 16 of the Champions League 5-2 on mixture.
The Belgian champions travelled to Bergamo with a slender 2-1 lead from final week’s first leg, however they outclassed the Europa League champions on their very own turf to create one of many upsets of the playoffs.
Brugge loved the right first half with a brace from Chemsdine Talbi and a objective from Spanish striker Ferran Jutgla on the stroke of half-time. Mateo Retegui had a objective disallowed for offside, however the hosts regrouped and seconds after the restart Ademola Lookman bought one again. Membership Brugge supervisor Nicky Hayen didn’t hesitate and substituted first-half hero Talbi for Hugo Siquet, a defensive reinforcement.
On the hour mark, goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, ex-Liverpool, saved Lookman’s penalty to stop Atalanta from staging a real comeback. Following a prolonged VAR test, Christos Tzolis had been adjudged to have pulled again Juan Cuadrado.
“He ought to by no means have taken it,” stated Atalanta supervisor Gian Piero Gasperini. “He is without doubt one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen. De Ketelaere and Retegui have been designated. However Ademola was clearly nonetheless euphoric after his objective.”
Within the 87th minute, Rafael Toloi was despatched off, decreasing Atalanta to 10 males, however by then, Brugge have been closing in on a outstanding victory. “Now we have to offer Membership Brugge credit score for his or her qualification. Our elimination was deserved,” stated Gasperini.
It was the third time Brugge have gained on Italian soil in European competitors. In 1975, Brugge defeated AS Roma 1-0 and in 2003 they prevailed with the identical scoreline towards AC Milan on the San Siro. On Tuesday, Milan have been eradicated 2-1 on mixture by Feyenoord.
Brugge march on to the final 16 the place they are going to meet Lille or Aston Villa.
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