Atalanta will aim to overturn a one goal deficit against Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League playoffs secondfirst leg on Tuesday evening.
A crucial European night awaits as Atalanta BC aim to overturn a narrow one-goal deficit when they welcome Club Brugge to the Gewiss Stadium for the second leg of their Champions League knockout round playoffs. La Dea are determined to reach the last 16 of the competition for the first time since the 2020/21 campaign, while their Belgian visitors are targeting their second appearance in the next stage in just three seasons.
Atalanta enter the second leg as the seeded team, thanks to their ninth-place finish in the league phase. However, they were left frustrated after missing out on an automatic last-16 spot. A late twist on the final matchday saw them slip from seventh to ninth place following a 2-2 away draw against Barcelona.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side seemed destined for a first-leg stalemate in Belgium after Mario Pasalic’s 41st-minute equaliser cancelled out Ferran Jutgla’s early goal. However, a controversial penalty decision handed Brugge a late advantage. Isak Hien’s foul on Gustaf Nilsson led to a VAR-backed spot-kick, which Nilsson converted, giving Club Brugge a 2-1 victory and leaving Atalanta with a must-win situation at home.
Domestically, Atalanta endured another frustrating result last weekend, settling for a goalless draw against Cagliari in Serie A. The result dented their title aspirations, leaving them in third place and five points adrift of leaders Inter Milan. With only one win in their last six competitive home matches, Atalanta will need to elevate their performance if they are to progress in Europe.
Club Brugge barely scraped into the knockout rounds, finishing 24th in the league phase, edging Dinamo Zagreb on goal difference. The Belgian champions had a mixed group stage campaign, recording three wins, two draws, and three losses, with notable home victories over Aston Villa and Sporting CP.
Brugge’s triumph in the first leg extended their unbeaten home run in Europe to four matches and ended a 15-game winless streak against Italian opposition in UEFA competitions. However, their away record in Italy is less encouraging, with just one win in their last 11 European visits (D4 L7), including a 3-1 defeat to AC Milan in their last trip.
Despite their inconsistency, Brugge showcased resilience in their domestic league, staging a dramatic comeback in a 2-2 draw against Sint-Truiden over the weekend. Christos Tzolis’s last-minute equaliser extended their unbeaten run to four games, and they will arrive in Bergamo knowing that avoiding defeat will be enough to book their place in the last 16.
History is on their side, as Brugge have progressed from 14 of their last 16 European knockout ties after winning the first leg at home. This track record should provide them with confidence as they look to stun their Italian hosts once again. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Atalanta BC
Atalanta are dealing with several injury concerns ahead of the second leg. Defensive duo Odilon Kossounou and Giorgio Scalvini are both ruled out, while striker Gianluca Scamacca is also unavailable for selection.
There are also doubts over the fitness of Ademola Lookman, who has missed the last six matches due to a lingering knee issue. His availability remains uncertain, and a late fitness test will determine his involvement. Additionally, Daniel Maldini and Sead Kolasinac will need to be assessed ahead of the clash, while Ibrahim Sulemana is a doubt after he was forced off during the recent match against Cagliari.
Gian Piero Gasperini rotated his squad for Saturday’s goalless draw in Serie A, resting key players with an eye on the crucial European fixture. Several first-choice names are expected to return to the starting lineup, including Rui Patricio, Berat Djimsiti, Raoul Bellanova, Marten de Roon, Ederson, Davide Zappacosta, and Charles De Ketelaere.
Atalanta are likely to set up in a 3-4-1-2 formation. Rui Patricio will take his place in goal, with Stefan Posch, Isak Hien, and Berat Djimsiti forming the three-man defense. Raoul Bellanova and Davide Zappacosta will operate as wing-backs, providing width and defensive cover, while Ederson and Marten de Roon will control the midfield battle.
Mario Pasalic is expected to play in the advanced midfield role, linking the attack with the midfield. Charles De Ketelaere and Mateo Retegui will lead the line as the two center-forwards, tasked with breaking down the Brugge defense and delivering the goals Atalanta need to progress.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Patricio; Posch, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Zappacosta; Pasalic; De Ketelaere, Retegui
Club Brugge
Club Brugge also have injury concerns ahead of the second leg. Defender Bjorn Meijer has missed the last six matches due to injury and remains a doubt for this crucial encounter.
Nicky Hayen made a few changes at the weekend, but he is expected to recall key players Raphael Onyedika and Christos Tzolis to the starting lineup. Onyedika will partner Ardon Jashari in the midfield pivot, providing defensive stability and linking play from the back.
Christos Tzolis, who came off the bench to score a late equaliser in the last league match, is likely to start on the left flank, bringing attacking threat and creativity. Meanwhile, Ferran Jutgla, who found the net in the first leg, is expected to spearhead the attack as the central striker.
Club Brugge are likely to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Simon Mignolet will start in goal, with Joaquin Seys, Brandon Mechele, Joel Ordonez, and Maxim De Cuyper forming the back four. Ardon Jashari and Raphael Onyedika will play as the defensive midfielders, tasked with controlling the game’s tempo.
In the attacking midfield line, Chemsdine Talbi will occupy the right wing, Hans Vanaken will operate centrally as the playmaker, and Christos Tzolis will provide width and direct attacking play from the left. Ferran Jutgla is expected to lead the line as the lone striker, aiming to add to his goal tally in this fixture.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Seys, Mechele, Ordonez, De Cuyper; Jashari, Onyedika; Talbi, Vanaken, Tzolis; Jutgla
Key Stats
- Atalanta progressed from their first two major European ties after losing the first leg in the 1987/88 Cup Winners’ Cup but have since been eliminated in their last three ties when trailing after the first leg.
- Despite winning the first leg 2-1, Club Brugge have been eliminated on 16 occasions in European competitions after securing a first-leg advantage, more than any other team in history.
- Club Brugge have not won an away game against an Italian team in Europe since October 2003, when they beat AC Milan 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League. Since then, they have failed to win in seven consecutive visits to Italy (D2 L5), including a 3-1 defeat to Milan earlier this season.
- Atalanta won their last home Champions League game (5-0 vs Sturm Graz), ending a five-game winless run at home (D3 L2). However, they have never won consecutive home games at the Gewiss Stadium in this competition.
- Club Brugge have netted nine goals in their nine UEFA Champions League matches this season and have won four games. Their best record in European competition was during the 1977/78 season, where they won five matches and scored 17 goals in a single campaign.
Player to Watch
Charles De Ketelaere
De Ketelaere had a quiet outing in the first leg against his former club, struggling to make a significant impact in the attacking third. Despite his technical abilities and eye for goal, he was unable to impose himself on the game, with Brugge’s defense effectively neutralising his threat.
However, the second leg presents a perfect opportunity for the Belgian forward to step up and make amends. Facing his old side in a crucial European fixture, De Ketelaere will be eager to prove a point and show his growth since leaving Club Brugge.
His ability to find space, link up play, and create chances will be vital if Atalanta are to overturn the deficit and progress to the next round. With Atalanta needing goals, the pressure will be on De Ketelaere to rise to the occasion and deliver a decisive performance on home soil
Prediction
Atalanta BC 2-1 Club Brugge (Atalanta to win in extra time)
Atalanta are a formidable side at home, and with the urgency of a comeback fueling them, they are likely to dictate the tempo of the match. Club Brugge, on the other hand, have shown grit and resilience, making them a tough opponent to break down.
Expect a highly competitive affair, with Atalanta pressing forward aggressively while Brugge look to hit on the counter. Given Atalanta’s home advantage and attacking prowess, they might just do enough to force extra time.
If the match extends beyond 90 minutes, Atalanta’s superior squad depth and home backing could give them the edge in extra time. They will be wary as if it goes to penalties, Club Brugge’s recent record in high-pressure European fixtures presents a formidable threat.
