Total Nerazzurri delirium in Bergamo: we’re through to the RO16!

With a comeback for the history books, Atalanta deliver a night to remember, sweeping aside Borussia Dortmund 4-1, overturning the 0-2 first-leg deficit and punching their ticket to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 in unforgettable fashion.

The Nerazzurri got off to a flying start, with Zalewski threatening as early as the 4th minute, his angled drive pushed behind for a corner by Kobel. It proved to be the prelude to Atalanta’s opener, which arrived just one minute later as Scamacca fired home after being set up by Bernasconi. Atalanta continued to press in search of a second and, after a series of clearances from the visitors, Zalewski went close again on 24 minutes. Played in by Scamacca, he unleashed a left-footed effort that Kobel fingertipped wide for another corner. The visitors responded on 27 minutes through Guirassy, whose header drifted well wide, before Brandt tested Carnesecchi shortly afterwards, the Atalanta keeper reacting sharply. Zalewski threatened once more in the 37th minute after Hien surged forward and picked him out, his right-foot curler skimming the crossbar. The Nerazzurri doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Zappacosta collected a loose ball from the goalkeeper and struck from the edge of the box, his effort taking a deflection off Bensebaini to beat Kobel for a second time.

The second half began with a fine save from Carnesecchi to deny Guirassy, although the forward was flagged offside. Atalanta then created two quick chances through Pašalić (50') and captain De Roon (51'), before the visitors hit back on 53 minutes when Beier’s angled drive came back off the post. The Nerazzurri soon extended their lead, however, as Pašalić headed home De Roon’s cross from the left on 57 minutes to make it 3-0. The Atalanta defence stood firm to block efforts from Guirassy and Fabio Silva on 74 minutes, but could do little a minute later when Adeyemi curled a superb left-footed strike into the top corner to pull one back. The Nerazzurri nearly restored their three-goal cushion on 82 minutes following a brilliant move from Samardžić, only for his powerful left-foot effort to skim the far post. But deep into stoppage time came the moment that sealed qualification for the Round of 16. Bensebaini caught Krstović with a reckless high heel to the head — second yellow and a penalty after a VAR review. From the spot, Samardžić kept his cool and smashed it into the top corner, sending Atalanta through and capping off a dream comeback in style.

ATALANTA 4-1 BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Scorers: Scamacca 5 (A), Zappacosta 45 (A), Pašalić 57 (A), Adeyemi 75 (BD), Samardžić pen 97 (A)

Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Scalvini (Djimsiti 77), Hien, Kolašinac (Ahanor 72), Zappacosta, De Roon, Pašalić, Bernasconi, Samardžić, Zalewski (Kamaldeen 85), Scamacca (Krstović 72). Unused bench: Rossi, Sportiello, Kossounou, Bakker, Musah, Éderson, Bellanova, Vavassori. Coach: Raffaele Palladino.

Borussia Dortmund: Kobel, Can, Anton, Bensebaini, Ryerson (Couto 70), Bellingham (Adeyemi 70), Nmecha, Svensson, Beier (Fabio Silva 60), Brandt (Chukwuemeka 60), Guirassy. Unused bench: Ostrzinski, Meyer, Schlotterbeck, Ozcan, Sabitzer, Inacio, Benkara, Reggiani. Coach: Niko Kovac.

Referee: José María Sánchez (ESP);
Assistant referees: Raúl Cabañero (ESP) and Iñigo Prieto (ESP);
Fourth official: Juan Martínez Munuera (ESP);
V.A.R. Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez (ESP);
A.V.A.R. Carlos del Cerro Grande (ESP).

Notes: Bensebaini (A) sent off on 97 minutes for a second bookable offence; Emre Can (BD), Fabio Silva (BD), Hien (A) booked.