Champions League | Club Brugge 2-1 Atalanta: Dea robbed from the spot | OneFootball

Atalanta were left furious and incredulous after a ridiculous stoppage-time penalty decision sealed Club Brugge’s 2-1 first leg victory in the Champions League play-off.

La Dea missed out on direct Round of 16 access by only a point, but came here without Matteo Ruggeri, Ademola Lookman, Daniel Maldini, Sead Kolasinac, Odilon Kossounou, Giorgio Scalvini and Gianluca Scamacca, while Marco Carnesecchi was still struggling with flu symptoms. Club Brugge beat Aston Villa and Sporting in the league phase, holding Juventus to a 0-0 draw and capitulating away to Milan when down to 10 men.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

It was a very aggressive start from the hosts, who threatened with counter-attacks from Christos Tzolis, above all when he sent Berat Djimsiti to ground and had his shot charged down by Raoul Bellanova.

They took a deserved lead when Stefan Posch was napping on an Isak Hien pass, intercepted by Chemsdine Talbi to roll across for Ferran Jutglà to take a touch and smash in with his right foot.

epa11891284 Ferran Jutgla (L) of Brugge scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs 1st leg match between Club Brugge KV and Atalanta BC, in Bruges, Belgium, 12 February 2025. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER MATTHYS

Atalanta struggled to get a foothold in the game, but as time wore on the intensity of the Brugge pressing faded and the visitors took more control.

After Mateo Retegui drilled wide, Davide Zappacosta floated in a cross for the Mario Pasalic looping header into the far top corner from 12 yards.

Club Brugge came back fighting after the restart and had a huge double opportunity, as first two players went for the same Talbi pull-back and collided on the penalty spot, then the move continued for Maxim De Cuyper to drill inches wide.

Gian Piero Gasperini made a double Atalanta substitution that almost paid off immediately, as first Juan Cuadrado’s cross found Zappacosta at the back post to force a desperate save, then moments later Lazar Samardzic was sent clear only to drill wide one-on-one with Simon Mignolet.

De Ketelaere grew up in the Club Brugge academy and even the home fans were applauding when his scorcher stung the goalkeeper’s gloves after a give and go with Samardzic.

Cuadrado also fired straight at Mignolet after a short corner, but the game and tie turned with a frankly ridiculous refereeing decision in stoppages.

Umut Teler thought that Isak Hien grazing Gustaf Nilsson’s nose with an arm as he cut him off to intercept the through ball was sufficient for a penalty, leaving Hien utterly bemused and Gasperini livid. VAR could not change the decision made on the pitch as there was contact, even if it was absolutely minimal, and Nilsson converted to give Club Brugge the victory.

Atalanta were understandably furious and there was some tension after the final whistle.

Club Brugge 2-1 Atalanta

Jutglà 15 (CB), Pasalic 41 (A), Nilsson pen 94 (CB)