Atalanta BC Vs. Club Brugge Prediction: Blauw-Zwart Determined To Steal Tickets For The Last 16, Orobici Yakin Win

Atalanta players, have the opportunity to turn things around at home (photo: x @Atalanta_BC)

JAKARTA - Atalanta BC faced a tough mission at the Gewiss Stadium on Tuesday night 18 February, or Wednesday morning WIB as they tried to reverse a goal from the first leg against Club Brugge in the knockout playoff of the Champions League.

The hosts want to return to the round of 16 for the first time since the 2020-21 season, while visiting teams from Belgium hope to advance to the next phase for the second time in three seasons.

Atalanta entered this playoffs as a leading team after finishing ninth in the Champions League league phase. However, they had to be disappointed for failing to qualify straight into the round of 16. In the last match of the league phase, they were still in seventh position before finally being shifted to the playoffs after only drawing 2-2 against Barcelona.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side appear to be ending the first leg with a draw after Mario Pasalic scored the equalizer in the 41st minute to reply to Ferran Jutgla's starting goal. However, there was a controversial incident in stoppage time when the referee awarded a penalty to Club Brugge after Isak Hien was deemed to have fouled Gustaf Nilsson in the box.

Although VAR still maintains this decision, many consider the decision to be detrimental to Atalanta. Nilsson, who became the executor, successfully scored a winning goal for Brugge, cost Atalanta their first away loss in European competitions this season.

This defeat clearly poses a big challenge for Atalanta, who now have to win if they want to make sure they are in the round of 16. However, their performance in Serie A's last match actually raises concerns. They were only able to draw 0-0 against Cagliari at home, a result that further distanced them from the race for the Serie A title. Currently, Atalanta is stuck in third place with a difference of five points from the leader of the standings, Inter Milan.

Statistics are also not in favor of Atalanta. They have only won once in the last six home games in all competitions. If they want to qualify, they must appear more effective in front of goal and not waste the opportunity.

On the other hand, Club Brugge managed to qualify for this knockout round quite dramatically. They only won the goal difference over Dinamo Zagreb who finished in 25th place in the league phase. Brugge recorded three wins, two draws, and three defeats in their eight matches in the league phase.

Their two wins were won against Aston Villa and Sporting Lisbon at home, showing they were strong enough while playing in Belgium. Another proof of their toughness at home was evident in a narrow win over Atalanta in the first leg, which also ended their poor record against the Italian teams in the UEFA competition. Before that victory, Brugge had never won in 15 meetings against the Italian team.

However, away matches remain a challenge for Club Brugge. They have only won once in their last 11 away games against Italian clubs in European competitions. The last time they traveled to Italy, Blauw-Zwart lost 3-1 to AC Milan last October.

However, their performance in the domestic league was promising. Last Saturday, Brugge almost lost against Sint-Truiden before finally equalizing to 2-2 through goals from Hans Vanaken and Christos Tzolis in the 90th minute. These results extend their unbeaten record in the last four matches in all competitions.

If you want to qualify for the round of 16, Brugge only needs to hold Atalanta's draw. Statistics also sided with them, because of the 16 matches in the European knockout system where they won in the first leg, Brugge managed to qualify 14 times.

Atalanta will play without their two main defenders, Odilon Kossounou and Giorgio Scalvini, who are still injured. In addition, striker Gianluca Scamacca is also confirmed to be absent.

There are still doubts about Ademola Lookman's fitness, which has not played since January 25 due to a knee injury. Gasperini hopes the key player can return on time to help Atalanta turn things around.

Daniel Maldini and Sead Kolasinac will still be assessed for their fitness before the match, while Ibrahim Sulemana is doubtful of appearing after suffering an injury in the match against Cagliari.

For this crucial match, Gasperini is predicted to field their best squad. Rui Patricio will most likely return to guard the goal, while Heavy Djimsiti, Total Bellanova, Marten de Roon, Ederson, Davide Zappacosta, and Charles De Ketelaere will enter the starting XI after being rested last weekend.

From the visitors' side, Brugge is most likely still unable to be strengthened by defender Bjorn Meijer who has missed the last six matches due to injury.

Coach Nicky Hayen is predicted to make some changes from last weekend's match. Raphael Onyedika and Christos Tzolis will most likely return to the starting XI after appearing as a substitute in the match against Sint-Truiden.

Onyedika will fill the midfield with Ardon Jashari, while Tzolis who scored the equalizer goal in the last match will play on the left side of Brugge's attack line.

Di lini depan, Ferran Jutgla masih menjadi pilihan utama sebagai striker setelah mencetak gol pembuka di leg pertama.

Atalanta must appear sharper on the front lines if they want to turn things around. However, they face Brugge who has a pretty good defensive record and only need to avoid defeat.

If Atalanta is able to score a quick goal, they have a great chance of reversing the aggregate. However, if Brugge manages to defend well, it's not impossible for them to steal a draw or even a win at the Gewiss Stadium.

Estimated line-up

Atalanta: Patricio; Posch, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; Pasalic; De Ketelaere, Retegui

Club Brugge:Mignolet; Seys, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper; Jashari, Onyedika; Talbi, Vanaken, Tzolis; Jutgla

Final prediction: Atalanta BC 2-1 Club Brugge