Atalanta BC will aim to turn around a 2-1 deficit as they welcome Club Brugge to Gewiss Stadium for the second leg of their Champions League knockout. The Italian side who last reached the competition’s last 16 in 2020-21 must win to stay in the tournament. Club Brugge on the other hand travel to Italy knowing that a draw or a win will send them into the Champions League last 16 for a second time in three seasons.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s team had a chance to qualify directly for the last 16 but slipped from seventh to ninth on the final matchday of the league phase, drawing 2-2 against Barcelona. The result forced them into the playoffs where a controversial late penalty in Belgium saw them suffer their first European away defeat of the season. Atalanta’s recent form has been a mixed bag with only one win in their last six matches across all competitions. In their most recent outing they drew 0-0 against Cagliari in the Serie A which left them in third place and five points off the top. Now, their home form is a concern with just one victory in their last six competitive games in Bergamo.
Club Brugge secured their place in the knockout rounds by finishing 24th in the league phase sneaking past Dinamo Zagreb on goal difference. The Belgian side recorded three wins, two draws and three defeats in the league phase with crucial home victories over Aston Villa and Sporting Lisbon. Their 2-1 win over Atalanta in the first leg not only put them in a strong position but also ended a 15 match winless run against Italian teams in UEFA competitions. Domestically, Club Brugge also extended their unbeaten streak to four games with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Sint-Truiden after going two goals down. However, their record in Italy is poor with seven losses in their last 11 European away trips against Italian teams.
Atalanta are without defenders Odilon Kossounou and Giorgio Scalvini while Gianluca Scamacca remains sidelined. Ademola Lookman’s availability is uncertain while Daniel Maldini, Sead Kolasinac and Ibrahim Sulemana face late fitness tests.
For Club Brugge Bjorn Meijer is still out injured. Raphael Onyedika and Christos Tzolis could return to the starting eleven with Ferran Jutgla expected to lead the attack.
Atalanta BC possible lineup: Patricio; Posch, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; Pasalic; De Ketelaere, Retegui
Club Brugge possible lineup: Mignolet; Seys, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper; Jashari, Oyedika; Talbi, Vanaken, Tzolis; Jutgla
