Atalanta’s Champions League campaign has come to an end, fighting back from 3-0 down for 3-2 and hitting the woodwork three times, as they transfer to the Europa League.
This head-to-head for a place in the Round of 16 was postponed last night due to a snowstorm in Bergamo, so rescheduled for Thursday evening. Robin Gosens was injured and Davide Zappacosta not at 100 per cent, while Villarreal had Yeremi Pino suspended and Francis Coquelin out of action.
La Dea knew only a win would send them into the Round of 16, whereas any other result would see them drop into the Europa League.
It was a disastrous start, as within three minutes Merih Demiral was caught in possession by Dani Parejo, sending Arnaut Danjuma on the counter to nutmeg Juan Musso one-on-one.
Rafael Toloi nodded a Josip Ilicic free kick over with Geronimo Rulli stranded, while the goalkeeper flew to palm a Remo Freuler curler out of the far top corner with one hand and denied Demiral from a corner. Ilicic was largely ineffective, but did have penalty appeals when going down in the box.
Despite all their possession, Atalanta found themselves 2-0 down, as it was again not cleared effectively, rolled across from the right by Moi Gomez and Etienne Capoue blasted into the roof of the net from six yards.
Duvan Zapata went for a free kick and collided heavily with Rulli on the stroke of half-time.
Villarreal added a third on the counter, Gerard Moreno nutmegging Jose Luis Palomino to burst into the box, rolled across, where Danjuma turned on a sixpence to score from seven yards.
Ruslan Malinovskyi’s free kick smacked the top of the crossbar, while Duvan Zapata clipped the base of the near post from close range.
Malinovskyi did get one back with a trademark left-foot scorcher from the edge of the box after Joakim Maehle’s lay-off.
Duvan Zapata made it 3-2 with 10 minutes left on the clock, a splendid Ilicic slide-rule pass allowing the Colombian to spring the offside trap and dink it over the on-rushing goalkeeper.
It turned into a siege, Duvan Zapata’s header straight at Rulli, then a Luis Muriel curler smacking against the upright on 86 minutes, the third time Atalanta hit the woodwork in this game.
Atalanta 2-3 Villarreal
Danjuma 3, 51 (V), Capuoe 42 (V), Malinovskyi 71 (A), Duvan Zapata 80 (A)
Unlucky? I don’t think so. Villarreal came to Italy and scored three away goals when they only needed a draw. They deserved to go through.
They completely outplayed Atalanta in the first half. It was a tactical masterclass by Emery.
Typical Atalanta! Didn’t expect them to win. As usual, Spanish teams getting the better over Italian one’s.
Just as well they’re in the europa league, if they can’t beat Villarreal they won’t be able to beat any other team next round of UCL.
after all that hoopla including FI,,,sigh!!! So much in support of Serie A teams to do well, unlike biased FI.
Unlucky conceding three goals in your own turf? Yeah, Milan was unlucky yesterday too lol
Led away and at home vs Man Utd and didn’t win. And ultimately bottled it at home when needed to win. Can’t be unlucky when 3 down at home. Almost mirroring Milan‘s campaign.
Not unlucky at all. Should have banked 3, 4, or even 6 Points against Manure. Should have not conceded 3 goals today.
Want to play this brand of football? You will gain plenty of admirers but you cannot win this way.
If any team was unlucky it was the Yellow Submarines on Matchday 2 versus Manure.
Best, most deserving 2 teams advanced. I write that as someone who wanted Atalanta to go through.
Atalanta was known by all in the C.L. campaign. Surprised no one and their weaknesses exposed. Back where they belong in Europa League.
Shame for italian football, cant believe how they became such bullshit weak, its terrible, I am already sure only 1 team at most will reach top 16 in europa league, such weak football…especially in decisive games, unbielivieble!
Typical Atalanta game in almost every way.
They’re great at scoring goals and making chances, but they just can’t hold out at all at the back.
The conceded 5 vs Villarreal, 5 v M Utd, and 3 v Y Boys, and yet scored almost the same in return.
They’re very exciting to watch, but they need a better defence. Milenkovic of Fiorentina would be a start, given his contract is up in 18 months and he’ll be slightly cheaper.
Gosens was a huge loss too. A player like him might have been the difference in finishing 2nd and 3rd.
If they take the EL seriously, though, they could do really well in it.