Atalanta have secured their first three points in this season’s UEFA Champions League after a 2-1 win against Club Brugge in Matchday 2 at the New Balance Arena on Tuesday night.
This was more or less a revenge mission from La Dea, who were sent packing from the competition last season by the Belgian club.
The Serie A side had to come from behind to secure maximum points through Lazar Samardzic and Mario Pasalic’s goals.
La Dea had begun their European season with a 4-0 spanking at the hands of defending champions Paris Saint-Germain before claiming their first Champions League victory of the season.
The absence of Charles De Ketelaere, Gianluca Scamacca, or Nicola Zalewski further up the pitch allowed Ademola Lookman to be called into the starting lineup.
This is the first start for the former African footballer of the year this season, following his attempts to leave the club over the course of the summer transfer window. La Dea also handed a first start of the campaign to Brazilian midfielder Ederson.
Atalanta made their intention known with an early threat as Lorenzo Bernasconi thundered a fierce volley just wide of the target from 25 yards out inside four minutes.
After attempts by Ederson, Lookman, and Mario Pasalic to get Atalanta ahead, it was the visitors who eventually claimed the first-half lead.
Carlos Forbs punished Marten De Roon for giving up possession midway through his own half. The Portuguese then released Nicolo Tresoldi, who slipped it to Tzolis on the edge of the area, where he was able to bend past Marco Carnesecchi into the corner.
Atalanta were eventually rewarded for their persistence in search of an equaliser in the final 20 minutes of the encounter.
Although Nordin Jackers brilliantly stopped Musah while charging into the area, the Brugge goalkeeper brought down Mario Pasalic on the follow-up.
Samardzic stepped and converted the penalty just inside the right post to level for the hosts to score his first competitive goal this calendar year.
They then turned it around in the 87th minute as Pasalic stole the lead with a well-placed header from a corner, sending the New Balance Arena into a frenzy.
