In the first leg of the 2020-2021 UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Real Madrid win 1-0 at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, with the Nerazzurri down to ten men from 17.
Atalanta wore black armbands: there was a minute’s silence before kick-off in memory of two former Atalanta players Ta Bi and Leonardi, who recently disappeared. It was also remembered the anniversary of the first victim of Covid-19 in Bergamo, with a though addressed to all victims of this damned virus.
It was a balanced start as the Nerazzurri tried to burst into the Spanish side’s box. But in the 17th minute, there was a key incident: Freuler fouled Mendy on the edge of the box and that was judged as a clear goalscoring opportunity according to the referee. The Atalanta midfielder was sent off amid the Nerazzurri protest. Ten against eleven, the Nerazzurri held on well and played with courage and generosity. Pašalić came on for injured Zapata on 30. Real got dangerous on 32 with a Nacho effort sent wide and Isco’s shot deflected for a corner. The best chance was one minute later with Vinicius who was denied by Djimsiti. Muriel got dangerous on 41 when his right-foot shot from the edge of the box was inches wide. Just before half-time, Gollini parried Casemiro’s header from seven yards.
The second half began with a thrill: Modric’s effort was deflected by Mæhle inches wide. On 53 Gosens deflected Vinicius’ shot from inside the area over. Real attacked but the Nerazzurri defended themselves with order and only allowed shots from outside the box. From one of these, in the 86th minute, however, the visitors’ lead came with a curler by Mendy.
ATALANTA 0-1 REAL MADRID
Scorers: Mendy 86 (RM)
Atalanta: Gollini, Toloi, Romero, Djimsiti, Mæhle (Palomino 86), de Roon, Freuler, Gosens, Pessina, Muriel (Iličić 56, Malinovskyi 86), Zapata (Pašalić 30). Bench: Rossi, Sportiello, Šutalo, Lammers, Caldara, Ruggeri, Miranchuk, Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Real Madrid: Courtois, Lucas Vazquez, Varane, Nacho, Mendy, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Asensio (31′ s.t. Arribas 76), Isco (Hugo Duro 76), Vinicius Junior (Mariano Diaz 58). Bench: Lunin, Altube, Blanco, Chust, Gutierrez. Coach: Zinedine Zidane.
Referee: Tobias Stieler (GER).
Assistants: Christian Gittelmann (GER) e Eduard Beitinger (GER).
Fourth official: Sandro Schärer (SUI).
V.A.R.:Bastian Dankert (GER).
A.V.A.R.: Benoit Millot (FRA).
Notes: 17 Freuler (A) sent off, Gosens (A), Casemiro (RM), Mendy (RM) booked
