The first leg of the 2021-2022 UEFA Europa League quarter-finals between RB Leipzig and Atalanta ends 1-1 at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig.
It was Muriel to break the deadlock on 17 minutes with a wonderful goal: the Colombian cut inside from the left and fired into the far top corner to score the opener. Muriel almost doubled their lead on 20 minutes, as his low drive skimmed the post. The hosts reacted to it and almost equalised through André Silva in the 24th minute, as the Portuguese striker was only denied by the post. At the death of the first half, Pašalić thumped the outside of the post.
In the second half, Muriel threatened once again and forced a save off Gulacsi but then it was Leipzig to equalise. In the 57th minute, Musso was brilliant in parrying André Silva’s penalty and palming away Orban’s follow-up header, but then Zappacosta tried to anticipate the tap-in from Orban and unfortunately put the ball past his goalkeeper. Zapata made his comeback after a long time and Gasperini also threw on Boga and Scalvini. And it was Scalvini himself to fire over in the 64th minute from a good spot and Koopmeiners’ effort to restore Atalanta’s lead bounced off the post on 65 minutes. Leipzig also hit another woodwork, this time with Szoboszlai, whose diving header was off the crossbar in the 82nd minute. The final minutes were thrilling, as Szovoszlai’s shot was parried by Musso (90′) and Demiral had to clear off the line Mukiele’s effort after general chaos in the Nerazzurri box. However, the 1-1 draw held on until the end: the return leg at the Gewiss Stadium will be decisive for the qualification to the semifinals.
RB LEIPZIG 1-1 ATALANTA
Scorers: Muriel 17 (A), Zappacosta own goal 58 (A).
RB Leipzig: Gulacsi, Gvardiol (Halstenberg 73), Orban, Klostermann, Angelino, Kampl, Laimer, Henrichs (Mukiele 87), Olmo (Szoboszlai 73), Nkunku (Novoa 87), André Silva (Forsberg 62). Unused bench: Tschauner, Martinez, Simakan, Raebiger. Coach: Domenico Tedesco.
Atalanta: Musso, Hateboer, Demiral, Palomino, Zappacosta (Pezzella 89), Freuler (Miranchuk 68), de Roon, Koopmeiners, Pessina (Scalvini 62), Pašalić (Boga 62), Muriel (Zapata 62). Unused bench: Rossi, Sportiello, Malinovskyi, Mihaila, Cittadini. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG).
Assistants: Stuart Burt (ENG) and Simon Bennett (ENG).
Fourth official: William Collum (SCO).
V.A.R.: Paul Tierney (ENG).
A.V.A.R.: Lee Betts (ENG).
Notes: Musso (A) saved an André Silva (L) penalty on 67 minutes, Gvardiol (L), Halsteberg (L), Palomino (A) booked.
