Atalanta suffered a 2-1 defeat against Club Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie, missing the influence of Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman.
A dramatic penalty from Gustaf Nilsson sealed the win for the Belgian side after an intense battle, putting Atalanta under pressure ahead of the return leg in Bergamo.
Ferran Jutgla gave the Belgian side a 15th-minute lead as Atalanta were punished for sloppy play at the back, but Mario Pasalic headed in an equaliser for the visitors before the break.
Ferran Jutgla gave Club Brugge the lead in the 15th minute, capitalizing on Atalanta’s defensive lapse. The visitors responded before halftime as Mario Pasalić met a cross with a powerful header to level the score.
The second half saw Atalanta push forward in search of a winner, but Brugge’s defence held firm.
Lookman’s absence, along with Daniel Maldini’s unavailability, left Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini short of attacking options.
Charles De Ketelaere and Mateo Retegui led the line but struggled to break down Brugge’s disciplined defence.
Just when it seemed both sides would settle for a draw, the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty.
Atalanta defender Isak Hien caught Nilsson in the face with his outstretched arm, and despite what appeared to be minimal contact, the referee upheld the decision after a VAR review.
Nilsson made no mistake from the spot, handing Club Brugge a crucial victory.
Atalanta will hope Lookman recovers in time to boost their attack.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika played the full 90 minutes for Club Brugge, helping his side secure the crucial victory.
Elsewhere, Samuel Chukwueze featured for AC Milan in their 1-0 loss to Feyenoord in another first-leg playoff tie.
The surprise win was a welcome tonic for Feyenoord, who came into the match in disarray after axing manager Brian Priske less than 48 hours before the game.
The Dutch side capitalized on a third-minute blunder from Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who fumbled Igor Paixão’s speculative shot into his net.
The Nigerian winger came on in the 60th minute but couldn’t alter the outcome as Igor Paixão’s third-minute strike proved decisive.
Milan will now aim for a comeback when they host the Dutch side at San Siro next Tuesday.
