In Group D matchday 2 of the 2020-2021 UEFA Champions League it ends 2-2 against Ajax in what was the debut for the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo in the top European club competition. Two goals down, Gasperini’s team was exceptional in coming back with a brace from Zapata.
After a good start with Iličić and Zapata efforts, Ajax broke the deadlock on 30 with a penalty converted by Tadic (Gosens foul on Traorè). The Dutch side doubled their lead through Traorè eight minutes later.
In the second half, there was a nice reaction by the Nerazzurri who reopened the match after nine minutes with an header from Zapata, assisted by Gomez. On 60 Zapata scored the equaliser with his right foot, assisted by Pašalić. Penalty appeals from the Nerazzurri in the 63rd minute for a Tagliafico handball in the box on Pašalić’s cross, which was judged not punishable by the referee. Pašalić got still dangerous in the 68th minute, but Ajax also tested Sportiello with a shot from distance in the 77th minute. It ended 2-2, a result that brings the Nerazzurri to 4 points, in second place in the group behind Liverpool, the next opponent at the Gewiss Stadium.
ATALANTA 2-2 AJAX
Scorers: Tadic pen 30 (AJ), Lassina Taorè 38 (AJ), Zapata 54 and 60 (AT)
Atalanta: Sportiello, Toloi, Romero, Djimsiti, Hateboer, Pašalić, Freuler, Gosens, Iličić (Malinovskyi 78), Gomez (Muriel 78), Zapata. Bench: Rossi, Gollini, Palomino, Lammers, Mojica, Depaoli, Pessina, Ruggeri, Miranchuk, Diallo. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Ajax: Onana, Mazraoui (Klaiber 56), Schuurs, Blind, Tagliafico, Klaassen, Tadic, Gravenberch, Antony (Labyad 93), Lassina Traorè, Neres (Promes 69). Bench: Stekeleneburg, Scherpen, Alvarez, Ekkelenkamp, Martinez, Brobbey. Coach: Erik ten Hag.
Referee: Damir Skomina (SVN).
Assistants: Jure Praprotnik (SVN) and Robert Vukan (SVN).
Fourth official: Dragoslav Perič (SVN).
V.A.R.: Juan Martinez Munuera (ESP).
A.V.A.R.: Roberto del Palomar (ESP).
Notes: Iličić (AT), Djimsiti (AT), Malinovskyi (AT), Traorè (AJ), Klaassen (AJ), Mazroui (AJ) booked.
