Julius OkorieThe absence of injury sidelined Ademola Lookman, was heavily felt, as Atalanta struggled in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off on Wednesday night.
The Super Eagles talisman and reigning African footballer of the year, is still nursing injury he sustained during Atalanta clash against Napoli in January, forcing him to miss action at the Jan Breydelstadion.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelA controversial late penalty, saw Club Brugge pocket a precious one-goal first leg advantage against Atalanta, following the 2-1 win on the night.
Brugge had taken early lead in the 15th minute thanks to Ferran Jutglà. Visiting Atalanta improved as the half wore on and got back on level terms through a glancing Pasalic header, after a fine cross from Zappacosta.
The second half was a more cagey affair, though Atalanta, despite not being at their best, created better chances with Samardzic and Zappacosta going close. It looked to be heading for a draw, ahead of the second leg in Bergamo, until a penalty was awarded in injury time, following an alleged arm in the face from Hien on Nilsson.
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An opportunity Nilsson did not hesitate to convert to hand the homers an advantage heading to the return leg on 18th February.
Atalanta will no doubt be hoping that Lookman returns to full action, ahead of the return leg. The exploits of the Nigeria International, who led Atalanta to Europa league final triumph against Leverkusen last year, thanks to his hat-trick on that occasion, is not lost on Atalanta.
While Lookman was missing in action for Atalanta Wednesday night, his Super Eagles teammate, Raphael Onyedika, was in action for the entire duration of the game contributing in no small measure to the victory achieved.
Just before the second leg showdown, Club Brugge will take on Sint-Truiden in the Belgian league, while Atalanta face Cagliari in the Seria A.
The winners of the second leg play-off, which promises to be explosive, as Atalanta attempts to turn the table, will play either Lille or Aston Villa in the last 16 of the competition.
In other play-off encounters on Wednesday night, Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich consolidated ahead of the second leg with a 2-1 away victory over Celtic, while Benfica hold a lone goal advantage over Monaco. AC Milan will however dig deep in the return leg after falling to a lone goal defeat to Feyenoord.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
