Mission accomplished: Atalanta Under-19s win away against Shakhtar, claim top spot in the UYL Group C and go through to the round of 16.

It’s Piccoli’s brace that decides the match, scoring his sixth goal in the competition, but the 1-2 score is the result of a careful, mature and strong performance from the whole team. The first goal comes after a great choral action with the ball going from Cortinovis to Ghisleni and ending on. Piccoli, who doesn’t miss the back of the net. Gelmi, on 26, pulls a great save on Sikan.

In the second half, after eight minutes, Ghislandi intercepts the ball and assists Piccoli, who scores his brace and doubles the Nerazzurri lead. On 17’ Shakhtar scores a penalty through Bondarenko and this re-opens the match in the final stages. Yet, Atalanta don’t give up and thanks to some decisive blocks from Finardi, Heidenreich and a sensational save by Gelmi on V’Yunnik’s effort on 41’, Atalanta earn their fourth consecutive win in Europe and win the group, progressing to the round of 16 with 13 points. A draw on 14th February will decide Atalanta’s opponent in the last 16 (one-shot match on 3rd-4th March).

SHAKHTAR DONETSK-ATALANTA 1-2

Goals: 20’ f.h. e 8’ s.h. Piccoli (A), 17’ s.h. Bondarenko (S) (PK).

Shakhtar Donetsk: Trubin, Kozik, Muravskyi (1’ s.h. Ehbudzhuo), Yakuba, Drambayev, Hurov (10’ s.h. Chyruk), Ocheretko (45’ s.h. Kobylianskyi), Kryskiv, Sikan, Bondarenko (45’ s.h. Rudavskyi), Mudryk (39’ s.h. V’Yunnik). Available: Kemkin, Chyruk, Svitiukha. Coach: Fernando Valente.

Atalanta: Gelmi, Bergonzi, Brogni, Guth, Okoli, Heidenreich, Ghisleni (33’ s.h. Sidibe), Panada (33’ s.h. Finardi), Piccoli, Cortinovis (45’ s.h. Milani), Ghislandi. Available: Dajcar, Ruggeri, Gyabuaa, Cambiaghi. Coach: Massimo Brambilla.

Referee: Rade Obrenovic (SVN).

Assistants: Tomislav Pospeh (SVN) e David Gabrovec (SVN).

Fourth official: Dmytro Kryvushkin (UKR).

Notes: booked Sikan (S).