Atalanta into UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs

The UEFA Champions League League Phase has come to an end, with the Nerazzurri securing a place in the knockout phase play-offs. Friday’s draw will determine whether Atalanta face either Borussia Dortmund or Olympiacos in the next round.

The hosts threatened early through Florucz, whose effort in the 3rd minute was cleared off the line by Hien before he fired wide three minutes later. Atalanta responded through Krstović, whose header was comfortably held by the goalkeeper. On 18 minutes, Guilherme Smith bent a right-footed curler inches wide of the far post, while the Nerazzurri came close in the 39th minute as Lookman’s near-post strike was pushed behind for a corner by Scherpen.

The deadlock was broken in the 72nd minute when Khalaili put the home side ahead from a free-kick. Zappacosta attempted to haul Atalanta back into the contest with a long-range effort that flew over the bar, while De Roon also tried his luck from distance in the closing stages, his shot drifting wide. The final opportunity fell to Kamaldeen in stoppage time, but he steered De Ketelaere’s pass off target. The match at Lotto Park in Anderlecht ended in a 1–0 win for the hosts, though the Nerazzurri’s European journey continues in the play-offs.

UNION SAINT-GILLOISE 1-0 ATALANTA

Scorers: Khalaili 70 (USG).

Union Saint-Gilloise: Scherpen, Mac Allister, Burgess, Sykes, Patris, Zorgane (Schoofs 57), Van de Perre, Khalaili, El Hadj (Leysen 92), Guilherme Smith (Niang 85), Florucz (Fuseini 57). Unused bench: Chambaere, Keita, Berradi, Huygevelde, Hamoutahar. Coach: David Hubert.

Atalanta: Sportiello, Kossounou (Pašalić 75), Hien, Ahanor, Zappacosta, Musah (De Roon 52), Éderson, Bernasconi, Samardžić (De Ketelaere 52), Lookman (Kamaldeen 52), Krstović (Scamacca 62). Unused bench: Carnesecchi, Rossi, Djimsiti, Kolašinac, Scalvini, Zalewski. Coach: Raffaele Palladino.

Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG);
Assistant referees: Stuart Burt (ENG) and Ian Hussin (ENG);
Fourth official: IV Andrew Madley (ENG);
V.A.R. Stuart Attwell (ENG);
A.V.A.R. Darren England (ENG).

Notes: Burgess (USG), Samardžić (A), Ahanor (A), Sykes (USG) and Scamacca (A) booked.