In the rescheduled fixture of the 2021-2022 UEFA Champions League matchday 6, Villarreal win 3-2 at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo and qualify for the Round of 16. The Nerazzurri finish third in the group: their European journey continues in the UEFA Europa League.
It was an uphill game, as Danjuma scored the opener within 3 minutes. The Nerazzurri immediately reacted to it and Toloi nodded inches over, while Freuler tested the goalkeeper from the edge of the box and Demiral’s effort had to be pushed behind Rulli. However, Villarreal doubled their lead on 42 minutes through Capoue.
The second half opened up with Danjuma adding a third for Villarreal. Malinovskyi tried to pull one back from a free-kick in the 58th minute but he hit the bar, then Zapata clipped the outside of the post in the 63rd minute. In the 71st minute, Malinovskyi hit a rocket from the edge of the box to make it 1-3, and Iličić’s slide-rule pass found Zapata, who dinked it over the goalkeeper, sparking Atalanta’s comeback. The Nerazzurri almost brought things level in the 85th minute first, with Zapata’s header straight at the goalkeeper, and then through Muriel on 86 minutes, who smashed the post with a fierce finish from the edge of the box and Toloi, who didn’t manage to turn the rebound in.
ATALANTA 2-3 VILLARREAL
Scorers: Danjuma 3, 51 (V), Capoue 42 (V), Malinovskyi 71 (A), Zapata 80 (A)
Atalanta: Musso, Toloi, Demiral (Djimsiti 46), Palomino, Hateboer, de Roon (Muriel 55), Freuler, Mæhle (Zappacosta 90), Pessina (Malinovskyi 46), Iličić, Zapata. Bench: Rossi, Sportiello, Koopmeiners, Muriel, Pezzella, Malinovskyi, Djimsiti, Miranchuk, Lovato, Zappacosta, Pašalić, Piccoli. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Villarreal: Rulli, Foyth, Albiol, Pau Torres, Estupinan, Moi Gomez (Pena 93), Parejo (Trigueros 93), Capoue, Moreno (Pedraza 88), Gerard Moreno (Iborra 81), Danjuma (Dia 88). Bench: Asenjo, Jorgensen, Mario Gaspar, Alcacer, Iborra, Chukwueze, Trigueros, Dia, Raba, Pena, Mandi, Pedraza. Coach: Unai Emery.
Referee: Anthony Taylor (ENG).
Assistants: Gary Beswick (ENG) and Adam Nunn (ENG).
Fourth official: Darren England (ENG).
V.A.R.: Chris Kavanagh (ENG).
A.V.A.R.: Constantine Hatzidakis (ENG).
Notes: Muriel (A), Moreno A. (V) booked.
