Lookman Ademola Shines As Club Brugge Eliminate Atalanta In Champions League Playoff

 

Club Brugge secured a stunning 3-1 win over Atalanta in the playoff second-leg tie at the Gewiss Stadium and are through to the Champions League round of 16. 

Atalanta were in the deficit from the first leg at Club Brugge and coming to lose at home stopped them from reaching the round of 16, which they last appeared in in 2020. The zeal to compensate for the deficit proved costly as the Belgian side staged effective counter-attacks. 

Ademola Lookman was to the rescue of the Italian side but as a substitute for Mario Pasalic. Unfortunately, at this time, Atalanta were at the mercy of the opposition who had gone three goals clear before the halftime break. The Nigerian striker got a consolation goal but would need three more to undo the damages from the first half. 

Chemsdine Talbi scored the opener in the 3rd minute. Talbi's precise right-footed shot from the center of the box found the bottom left corner, courtesy of a well-crafted assist from Ferran Jutglà following a swift counterattack.-

Talbi sent the side clear by two goals from a rebound saved into his path following a counter.  As though that was not enough, the Belgian side again caught Atalanta off guard on a counter, and Ferran Jutgla volleyed ba;; from a counter led by Tzolis into the top corner of the goal. 

As pleasant as it may sound, Ademola scored Atalanta's only goal in the same minutes he came on to replace Pasalic. Ademola arrived on time for Zappacosta's effort into the box and rifled the ball into the net in the 46th minute he stepped into the pitch. 

Impressive performance for Ademola even for the second half he played. He missed the penalty which could have doubled the goals for the Atalanta. However, his absence was terribly felt as the side lacked the finishing to make something out of their efforts in the opposition's box.