In a pulsating Champions League night at the New Balance Arena, Atalanta secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Club Brugge to finally register their first points in this season’s group stage. The Italian side saw themselves trailing for large parts of the game but rallied late, sparked by a penalty and capped off with a header in the 87th minute from Mario Pašalić.
The contest appeared to be slipping away from Atalanta in the first half. Their defensive lapses allowed Brugge to take control and, in the 38th minute, Christos Tzolis bent a curling effort into the net after combining with Carlos Forbs.
The move stemmed from a mistake by Marten de Roon, whose slip enabled Forbs to create the opening. Tzolis weaved between defenders and unleashed a shot that curled past keeper Marco Carnesecchi, giving the visitors the advantage heading into halftime.
Atalanta had few clear chances before the break and struggled to penetrate Brugge’s disciplined defensive block. The Belgians, buoyed by the lead, were content to sit deep and look for counterattacks, inviting their hosts forward but defending smartly and with discipline. Their game plan was working — until the second half.
In the early stages after the restart, Brugge remained a threat, particularly on the break. There was a moment when Ademola Lookman appeared poised to fire in a dangerous cross, but it fizzled out, and Nordin Jackers stood firm to deny a shot.
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But the balance shifted midway through the second half. Atalanta began to assert more control in midfield, encouraging more fluid link play and probing runs toward the box.
The turning point arrived around the 74th minute when a VAR review intervened. Jackers, rushing out at the feet of Mario Pašalić during a scramble in the box, made contact with the Atalanta midfielder.
The referee awarded a penalty after checking the play, and substitute Lazar Samardžić stepped up to slot the equalizer with composure. The stadium erupted as Atalanta were back in the game.
Brugge nearly responded immediately. Romeo Vermant danced past a defender and got in behind the defense, appearing to go one-on-one with Carnesecchi. With the goalkeeper scrambling, Vermant’s effort slipped just wide — a miss that would prove costly.
The final act arrived in the 87th minute. From a short corner, Yunus Musah guided the delivery inside the penalty area, and Pašalić, arriving at the far post, rose to head home the winner. The finish was simple but deadly: Brugge defenders were drawn to the near post, leaving space which Pašalić exploited.
When the ball hit the back of the net, wild celebrations erupted around the pitch, and Atalanta’s skies lit up with renewed hope and belief.
From then until full time, Brugge pushed forward desperately, throwing numbers into attack. But Atalanta held firm, absorbing pressure and clearing lines, while the clock ticked mercilessly. The final whistle confirmed a hard-fought victory.
While this result is primarily a boost on the night, there are resonances beyond just three points. Coming into the fixture, Atalanta were bottom of their group after a heavy 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the opening matchday.
Brugge, by contrast, had already established momentum with a 4-1 triumph over Monaco. Atalanta, thus, had everything to play for — not merely pride but resurgence in a group that looked daunting on paper. This win gives them life and opens up possibilities in a group that might yet be won or lost in margins.
For Club Brugge, the result is a harsh lesson in letting advantage slip. Their approach had been modestly effective in the first half: compact, disciplined, well-drilled. But conceding a penalty and failing to manage late balls into their box exposed vulnerabilities.
Individually, Mario Pašalić rightly assumes the spotlight. Beyond scoring the winner, he was central to the equalizer’s creation, frequently dropping deep to link play, and showing defensive awareness when needed.
His aerial presence at the back post proved decisive in the closing minutes. Lazar Samardžić, though introduced later, showed maturity by converting the penalty coolly under pressure.
On the Brugge side, Tzolis’s first-half strike will be remembered as exquisite, but beyond that, Brugge players lacked the cutting edge when needed most.
From a tactical perspective, Atalanta’s coach Ivan Jurić showed faith in his subs and in shifting momentum. The decision to bring in Samardžić proved worthwhile. The use of Musah on the corner that led to the winner was inspired.