Blancos took the lead after 10′ with Mbappé (then out due to injury in the 35th minute), in injury time in the 1st half Cdk equalized from a penalty. One-two from Vinicius and Bellingham between 56′ and 59′. Lookman reopens it in the 64th minute but it’s not enough
Atalanta’s pride is strong, but Madrid is truly Real. Just look at the line of scorers: Mbappé, Vinicius, Bellingham. Ancelotti’s three phenomena beat Gasperini’s team, who emerged with their heads held high from a match played on equal terms with the European champions until the end. Defeated only in the result, which is also the thing that matters most, but which does not affect the enthusiasm and drive of the Bergamo people one iota.
JOSIP, GASP… KYLIAN
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The pre-match, already very hot in itself, becomes even more heated when Josip Ilicic appears on the pitch, acclaimed by the entire stadium. The choreographies “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in the South and “cavalier” Gasperini with the Europa League in hand, “proud leader who brought prestige and glory to Bergamo”. When things get serious, Mbappé immediately unleashes himself: Carnesecchi’s hands prevent the immediate lead after 82 seconds, but when the 10th minute is about to strike, the Frenchman, fed by Brahim, eludes De Roon and creates space for the shot from the edge, and the goalkeeper has to give up. The duel occurs again 4 minutes later and the Nerazzurri goalkeeper wins it, but it is the sign that the defense struggles to contain the 9, who is on one of those graceful evenings. Frequent in Paris, less so in Madrid.
reaction
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The Goddess doesn’t stand by and watch, but every time the ball gravitates towards Courtois’ area, Blancos are there: Tchouameni sacrifices himself to prevent Lookman from equalising, then Rudiger saves twice on De Ketelaere. Signs of confidence, which inevitably increases when Mbappé, the most dangerous man by distance, sits in midfield calling for the substitution while touching his left thigh: in is Rodrygo, also like Vinicius fresh back from injury. Atalanta, however, is now in control of the field and seven seconds before the break finds the possibility of breaking through from the left with Kolasinac, who with his classic deep insertion reaches the area, where he is brought down by Tchouameni: an inevitable penalty which De Ketelaere converts , causing the 24 thousand people in Bergamo to explode.
ONE TWO THREE)
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Madrid’s imperturbability, however, is almost disarming and when there is an opportunity to do badly, Real Madrid seizes it: an unfortunate rebound between Djimsiti and Ederson leads Vinicius to the easiest of diagonals for 1-2, then around 100 seconds later Bellingham flies deep and finds the long post with his left foot. A minute earlier, Gasperini had brought Samardzic in: a move that turned out to be a good one, because it was the Serbian with a change of play that allowed Lookman to dispose of Lucas Vazquez at will, drilling Courtois (decided shortly before on Bellanova) at the near post. Gasp opts for Retegui, Zappacosta and Kossounou to attempt the attack on equalizer, then also Zaniolo in the final. Samardzic calls Courtois to save twice, Retegui does the same, but Carnesecchi also has his work cut out for Rodrygo. The three all does not arrive, Retegui from two steps at the last second sensationally sends the winning deflection over the crossbar: for Atalanta it is the first defeat in the Champions League, it costs them the exit from the top 8 positions, but in January against and Sturm Graz and Barcelona there is still a lot to play for.
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