One of the most dramatic, intense, and memorable matches of the Champions League round of 16 took place in Bergamo. After a 0-2 defeat in the first leg, Atalanta demonstrated a real supercombek at home, defeating Borussia Dortmund 4-1 and advancing to the next stage with a 4-3 aggregate score. The winning goal was scored from a penalty in the 90+8th minute.
The Bergamo club started the game at a very high pace from the very first minutes. The team didn't let the opponent rest, fought for every inch of the field, and managed to create the necessary advantage in the very first half. This time, Atalanta didn't just attack - they played with a completely different mood, different confidence, and different pressure. As a result, the two-ball difference in the first match gradually dissolved.
Gianluca Scamacca, Davide Zappacosta, and Mario Pašalić scored for the Italian side. Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, kept the intrigue alive by scoring the return goal through Karim Adeyemi. However, the most decisive, most difficult, and most nervous moment of the game fell on the final moments of extra time. After reviewing the episode via VAR, the referee awarded a penalty in favor of Atalanta, and Lazar Samaržić calmly capitalized on the opportunity. This blow exploded Bergamo.
UCL. Round of 16
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Atalanta - Borussia Dortmund D 4:1
25 February, Athleti Azzurri d'Italia
Goals: Skamakka (5), Zappacosta (45), Pasalic (57), Samardžić (90+8, penalty) - Adeyemi (75).
Atalanta: Carnezekki, Hin, Scalvini (Gimsiti, 77'), Kolašinac (Ahanor, 72'), Zappacosta, de Roon, Pasalic, Bernasconi, Samaržić, Zalewski (Sulemana, 85'), Skamakka (Kristović, 72').
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel, Jean, Anton, Bensebaini, Ruerson (Koutu, 70), Bellingham (Adeemi, 70), Nmecha, Svensson, Brandt (Chukwuemeka, 60), Bayer Leverkusen (Silva, 60), Girassi.
Yellow cards: Bensebaini (13'), Jean (53'), Heung (69'), Silva (69').
Red card: Bensebaini (90+7).
First match - 0:2.
This victory isn't an ordinary result for Atalanta. This is a vivid example of character, willpower, and resilience until the last moment. The team, which lost by two goals, went on the pitch to get back on the pitch and did exactly that. For the fans, this evening turned into a real football performance: tension, struggle, pressure, a red card, and the decisive turn in the final shot - everything was there.
Interestingly, with this success, Atalanta became the first Italian team to reach the Round of 16. This was an important signal not only for the club, but also for Italian football. The Bergamois once again proved that those who did not take them seriously enough in Europe were deeply mistaken.
In short, the night in Bergamo became an unforgettable football celebration for Atalanta fans for many years. The team managed to get out of the difficult situation, broke the opponent, and earned the right to continue their path in the Champions League. That night, Atalanta didn't just win - they also managed to captivate Europe with their character.
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