Another memorable chapter has been added to our history as the 2023/2024 UEFA Europa League semi-finals have become a reality for us. Although Liverpool won the second leg of our UEL quarter-final at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo 1-0, the Nerazzurri progressed thanks to their 3-0 win at Anfield.
The visitors started brightly and broke the deadlock on 7 minutes through Salah’s penalty. Musso was alert in the 13th minute, rushing off his line to deny Luis Diaz, and then kept out Szoboszlai’s effort from the edge of the area. Atalanta’s response came from Miranchuk, who fired wide of the far post on 28 minutes before Salah had a chance to double Liverpool’s lead on 39 minutes, but his lob went wide. Koopmeiners had a potential equaliser in the 41st minute, but the offside flag was up.
The Nerazzurri threatened in the opening minutes of the second half through Éderson, who unleashed a shot from the centre of the area that was blocked by Alisson. Koopmeiners came close on 60 minutes, but the Dutchman’s left-footed shot from the edge of the box was saved by the visitors’ goalkeeper. On 68 minutes, Zappacosta found Scamacca in the penalty area, but our no. 90’s scorcher was over. Liverpool pushed until the end, but the Nerazzurri defence was alert and did not concede a goal. The score was 1-0, but it was a Nerazzurri party. The Nerazzurri will now face Olympique Marseille in the semi-finals.
ATALANTA 0-1 LIVERPOOL
Scorers: Salah pen 7 (L)
Atalanta: Musso, Djimsiti, Hien, Kolašinac, Zappacosta, de Roon, Éderson (Pašalić 75), Ruggeri, Koopmeiners, Miranchuk (Lookman 79), Scamacca (De Ketelaere 75). Bench: Carnesecchi, Rossi, Toloi, Holm, El Bilal, Bakker, Adopo, Hateboer, Bonfanti. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold (Gomez 72), Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson (Danns 79), Szoboszlai (Elliott 66), Jones, Mac Allister, Salah (Nunez 66), Gakpo, Luis Diaz (Diogo Jota 66). Bench: Adrian, Kelleher, Endo, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Clark, Quansah. Coach: Jürgen Klopp.
Referee: François Letexier (FRA);
Assistant referees: Cyril Mugnier (FRA) and Mehdi Rahmouni (FRA);
Fourth official: Pierre Gaillouste (FRA);
V.A.R.: Jérôme Brisard (FRA);
A.V.A.R.: Willy Delajod (FRA).
Notes: Hien (A), Luis Diaz (L), Koopmeiners (A) and Zappacosta (A) booked.
