A historic qualification for the 2019-2020 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals arrives at Valencia for Atalanta, as Iličić scores all four goals. After a 4-1 win in the first leg, the Nerazzurri win 4-3 in Spain too.
The Round of 16 second leg was played behind closed doors at the Mestalla in Valencia. Among the Nerazzurri, Gollini was out with a probable little finger dislocation of his left hand and Champions League debut for Sportiello. The match started off very well with Iličić, who was awarded a penalty, which he then scored after just three minutes. On 10 Sportiello palmed away Rodrigo’s attempt from distance, but Valencia’s draw came on 21 with Gameiro. On 43 Iličić scored another penalty (Diakhaby’s handball awarded after VAR check) which took the Nerazzurri back to the lead.
In the second half, Freuler hit the bar after 5′ and after just one minute Gameiro scored a header to go 2-2. On 22 Valencia took the lead with a lob from Ferran Torres. But then Iličić ended his magical night with two more left-footed goals scored, becoming the first player ever to score four goals in an away Champions League knockout match. It ended 4-3, Iličić took the ball home and was named Man of the Match. Atalanta are among Europe’s best eight and they dedicate this win to their hometown: “Bergamo, this is for you. Don’t give up”
VALENCIA-ATALANTA 3-4
Goals: 3′ 1st half Iličić (A) pen, 21’1st half Gameiro (V), 43′ 1st half Iličić (A) pen, 6′ 2nd half Gameiro (V), 22′ 2nd half Ferran Torres (V), 26′ 2nd half e 37′ 2nd half Iličić (A)
Valencia: Cillessen, Wass, Coquelin (29′ 2nd half Cheryshev), Diakhaby (1′ 2nd half Guedes), Gayà, Ferran Torres, Parejo, Kondogbia, Soler, Gameiro, Rodrigo (34′ 2nd half Florenzi). Substitutes: Domenech, Lee, Sobrino, Guillamon. Coach: Albert Celades.
Atalanta: Sportiello, Djimsiti, Caldara, Palomino, Hateboer, de Roon (44′ 1st half Zapata), Freuler, Gosens, Pašalić (38′ 2nd half Tameze), Iličić, Gomez (33′ 2nd half Malinovskyi). Substitutes: Rossi, Czyborra, Muriel, Castagne. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Referee: Ovidiu Hategan (ROU).
Assistants: Octavian Sovre (ROU) e Sebastian Gheorghe (ROU).
Fourth Official: Sebastian Coltescu (ROU).
V.A.R.: Pawel Gil (POL).
A.V.A.R.: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL).
Notes: match played behind closed doors, Coquelin (V), Diakhaby (V), Kondogbia (V), Wass (V), Freuler (A) booked.
