Ademola Lookman marked his return from injury with a goal, but it wasn’t enough to save Atalanta from a shocking 3-1 home defeat against Club Brugge, who advanced to the UEFA Champions League (UCL) last 16 with a 5-2 aggregate victory.
After a controversial penalty gave the Belgians a narrow first-leg win, Atalanta started with urgency. Sead Kolašinac went close early, but Club Brugge struck first in stunning fashion.
Ardon Jashari dispossessed Éderson and flicked a brilliant backheel to Hans Vanaken, who launched a counterattack. Ferran Jutglà set up 19-year-old Chemsdine Talbi, who hammered a shot past Marco Carnesecchi.
The visitors doubled their lead before halftime when Jashari’s driving run set up Christos Tzolis. His initial shot was saved, but Talbi pounced on the rebound to score his second of the night.
Atalanta responded with relentless attacks, but Simon Mignolet denied Mateo Retegui and Éderson to keep Club Brugge in control.
Lookman was introduced at halftime and made an immediate impact, converting Davide Zappacosta’s cross to give Atalanta hope. Moments later, he won a penalty after a VAR review, but Mignolet pulled off a brilliant save to deny him a brace.
Atalanta’s frustration grew, and Rafael Tolói was sent off late on for an altercation with Maxim De Cuyper. Club Brugge comfortably saw out the match, ending a seven-game winless streak in Italy and securing a place in the UCL last 16, where they could face Lille or Aston Villa.
