Atalanta Was Frustrated At Failing To Win Against Sturm Graz Who Played With 10 People

Atalanta players celebrate Luis Muriel's goal against Sturm Graz in the Europa League. (Twitter @EuropaLeague)

JAKARTA - Atalanta was frustrated and failed to win in the Europa League Group D match against hosts Sturm Graz. In the duel at the Merkur-Arena Stadium, Friday, October 27, WIB, Atalanta was only able to draw 2-2 against Sturm, who played with 10 people from the 52nd minute.

Atalanta actually started the match well. Even though they fell behind at first, they were quickly able to turn things around.

However, they failed to maintain their performance, which frustrated Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Moreover, Sturm Graz then lost midfielder Stefan Hierlander from the start of the second half, or to be precise, the 52nd minute.

However, Atalanta failed to take advantage of the advantage in the number of players. In fact, the Italian Serie A representative ended up conceding from the penalty spot and closed the match with a draw.

"Of course matches in Europe are not easy. But we wasted a lot of opportunities in this match. We also made things difficult for ourselves and only occasionally had opportunities to endanger the opponent's goal," said Gasperini.

In that match, Gasperini unexpectedly did not field two pillars, Gianluca Scamacca and Charles De Ketelaere. On the other hand, Luis Muriel was trusted to partner with Ademola Lookman on the front lines.

The results are not in vain. Muriel scored a brace and saved La Dea from defeat.

"I always try to play the best. Muriel and Lookman are in better condition than Scamacca and De Ketelaere," said Gasperini.

"Scamacca clearly has quality. But he needs consistency and more than that, what he does in training should also be applied in matches," he said.

In that duel, Sturm Graz took the lead when Alexander Prass managed to score a goal after taking advantage of Otar Kiteishvili's assist in the 13th minute.

The home side's advantage did not last long. Atalanta was able to equalize the score through Muriel's goal in the 34th minute. The visitors even took the lead after Muriel scored a brace.

Muriel's second goal came from the penalty spot in first half injury time. The score changed to 2-1 for Atalanta in the first 45 minutes.

In the second half, Sturm Graz actually lost a player after Hierlaender received a second yellow card followed by a red card. A situation that gives Atalanta an advantage.

However, Atalanta could not add goals when facing opponents who played with 10 people. On the other hand, the hosts were able to equalize the score.

The goal from the penalty spot was created by Szymon Wlodarczyk in the 80th minute. The score changed to 2-2 and lasted until the end of the match.

The draw did not change Atalanta's position, which sits at the top of the standings with seven points. Followed by Sporting who also failed to win after being held by Rakow Czestochowa 1-1.

The additional one point makes Sporting have four points. The same as Sturm Graz, but Sporting is superior head-to-head.