Club Brugge edged out Atalanta 2-1 on February 12 during the UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoff first leg held at the Jan Breydel Stadium. This match marked the first of two encounters for these clubs, with the stakes high as both teams sought to secure their spot in the Round of 16.
Brugge, having barely qualified for the playoffs by finishing 24th during the league phase, faced ninth-placed Atalanta, who were narrowly denied direct entry to the knockout stages. With both teams donning black and blue, the match showcased their competitive spirits as they fought to advance.
The game kicked off with Brugge asserting themselves early, maneuvering past Atalanta’s man-to-man defense, creating openings for their second line of attack. The breakthrough came at the 15th minute when Brugge's Talbi intercepted a pass and initiated a swift counter-attack. He fed the ball to fellow forward Jugra, who made no mistake, expertly converting the opportunity with his right foot to place the ball deftly in the left corner of the net.
Despite conceding early, Atalanta aimed to regain momentum quickly, yet struggled to halt Brugge's advances. Although they maintained possession as the first half progressed, their efforts to create significant scoring chances were thwarted by Brugge's defense.
Atalanta finally found their equalizer just before halftime, capitalizing on a throw-in deep on Brugge's left flank. Zappacosta’s precise cross found Pasalic, who headed the ball expertly past Brugge's goalkeeper, Minjole, much to the delight of the traveling fans.
The second half began with Brugge re-establishing control, particularly through Talbi’s dynamic play on the right. Despite their efforts, Brugge struggled to deliver decisive strikes to reinforce their lead. Atalanta responded with tactical substitutions at the 63rd minute, bringing on Samardzic and Cuadrado, aiming to turn the tide.
The game entered its tense stage, with both teams exchanging chances. Brugge nearly found the net when De Ketelaere, facing his former teammates, had his shot saved by Atalanta’s goalkeeper, Musso. Meanwhile, the Italians remained on the hunt for counter-attacking opportunities.
With the clock winding down and the match seemingly heading for a draw, the drama unfolded dramatically during stoppage time. A contested incident saw Brugge's Nilsson go down inside the box after contact with Atalanta's Hien, resulting in the referee awarding a penalty. This decision sparked controversy as opinions varied on the nature of the foul.
Nilsson confidently stepped up to take the spot-kick and slotted the ball home, giving Brugge the lead just before the final whistle. The home side's fans erupted with joy, celebrating as their team secured the victory.
This contentious penalty decision left Atalanta with disappointment, as they will now seek redemption in the second leg on February 18 at their home ground. Brugge's tantalizing win positions them favorably, but the tie is far from over as Atalanta looks to overturn the deficit.
The final score read Club Brugge 2-1 Atalanta, with goals from Ferran Jugra and Gustaf Nilsson (penalty) for Brugge, and Mario Pasalic for Atalanta. This thrilling encounter sets the stage for what promises to be another intense clash next week.