Atalanta Performed Brilliantly, Beat Ajax And Made It To The Last 16

JAKARTA - Atalanta accompanied Liverpool to the last 16 of the Champions League after beating Ajax 1-0 after the hosts had to complete the match with 10 players in the final Group D match at the Johan Cruijff Arena Stadium, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday local time (Thursday WIB).

Atalanta finished second with a collection of 11 points, two points behind Liverpool, who since last week confirmed themselves as winners of Group D, while Ajax (7) had to be willing to go to the last 32 of the Europa League, Antara noted on the official UEFA website. .

This achievement maintains Atalanta's brilliant trend, which has only appeared in the Champions League for the last two seasons, when last season appeared surprisingly as a debut team despite having to fall in the quarter-finals against Paris Saint-Germain. The fate was reversed with Ajax who in the last two seasons failed to qualify for the knockout phase.

Since football began, the two teams that needed to win to qualify for the last 32 immediately played open games. Both Ajax and Atalanta rely on speed on both wings.

The middle line becomes a tight battle arena for the two teams to design attacks. There were alternating attacks, but the ball always bounced when it entered their respective lines of defense.

Ajax and Atalanta who know their opponents will definitely maximize their fast counter attacks, both apply a high defense line. Gian Pierro Gasperini also did not order Robin Gosens or Hans Hateboer to play attacking and help more in defense, as if looking for a draw.

No dangerous chances were created in the first half. The only chance to threaten was a header from Ajax striker Brian Brobbey at the end of the match and even then it was still too weak.

In the second half the game control did not change much. Both teams are still difficult to dismantle their respective defenses. But since entering the 60th minute, Atalanta managed to attract the Ajax midfielder to move further. As a result, Duvan Zapata and friends began to push into the Ajax penalty box.

Goalkeeper Andre Onana made a brilliant save to save the Ajax goal from Matteo Pessina's threat in the 67th minute, which started from his own mistake. Onana's imperfect punch from a corner kick leads to Pessina who immediately kicks off a volley. Luckily, the ball was still pointing to the middle and was caught by Onana's body.

Not long ago, Ajax midfielder Davy Klaanseen threw away a golden opportunity in the 75th minute. He, who was left facing goalkeeper Pierluigi Golini, instead let go of a weak kick, the opportunity returned mentally.

Disastrous for Ajax who have to finish the match with 10 players in 79 minutes. Ryan Gravenberch received a second yellow card in this match.

The advantage of the number of players was maximized by Atalanta to break the deadlock in the 84th minute. Receiving Remo Freuler's through ball, free-standing Luis Muriel passed goalkeeper Andre Onana and finished with a low shot.

Ajax began to lock up the remaining time, but Atalanta's tight line-up made attacks always easy to break. Until the score ended 1-0 for Atalanta's victory.