Europa League, Liverpool-Atalanta 0-3, the Dea wins at Anfield
Great feat for Atalanta, who beat Anfield in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final, ending 0-3 in Liverpool. In the third minute, a gigantic opportunity for the Bergamo players but Pasalic is unable to finish on goal from a few steps away because his shot is deflected with his face by Kelleher. Lively match in the first quarter of an hour, with the two teams playing openly. In the 16th minute Nunez graced Musso: released in front of the Nerazzurri goalkeeper, he missed the shot underneath and the ball went out of the back. Ten minutes later Liverpool were very close to scoring, with Harvey Elliott’s splendid left-footed shot hitting the crossbar and post but missing the target.
Atalanta took the lead in the 38th minute, with Scamacca who capitalized in the best way from the center of the area on a low cross from the right by Zappacosta, surprising the Reds goalkeeper. The Dea could double the lead in the last gasp of the first half but Koopmeiners, alone in front of Kelleher, was unable to overcome the opposing goalkeeper, who foiled the threat by exiting in desperation.
In the second half Liverpool were on the attack, with new substitute Salah challenging Musso with his left foot in the 54th minute. A minute later another chance for Nunez, who sends it high. In the 60th minute the Bergamo players double the lead, again with Scamacca, counterattack left footed on an assist from the right by De Ketelaere. In the 65th minute the Nerazzurri could make it three but Koopmeiners is not precise with his left foot from an excellent position. Liverpool are not there, in the 69th minute they also find the net with Salah but the linesman signals an offside position. Atalanta are not intimidated and actually start again with momentum finding the ball the third goal in the 83rd minute with Pasalic, tap-in after a clearance by the home goalkeeper on Ederson, unmarked by Scamacca. The Reds try to make the deficit less clear but the result no longer changes and Atalanta celebrates a night to remember.
Atalanta, Gasperini: “Extraordinary and sensational result. In Bergamo we will have to repeat ourselves”
“It is an extraordinary and sensational result for the history of Atalanta, for the club and for all the fans who came here to Liverpool – commented Dea coach Gasperini after Atalanta’s fantastic 3-0 victory at Anfield Road -. It’s one of those results that lasts, it’s a great victory. We played in a historic stadium, famous throughout Europe. A few years ago there was no audience, this evening has a completely different flavour. It’s wonderful to see how much satisfaction and enthusiasm there was in the people who followed us.” About Scamacca: “He is undergoing an important growth process to aspire to become a player of the highest level. This also applies to De Ketelaere. For him, tonight’s match must be a great injection of confidence. For the first time he was in the match for 90 minutes” .
Speaking to Sky Sport, Gasperini explains the reason why he made only one substitution (Miranchuk for De Ketelaere). “I didn’t want to touch anything, I was afraid to touch anything, the boys were still fine. There was no need to change anything. Courage and attention in the attack, we were precise and a few times we were attacked. If Liverpool can play consistently he scores goals for you in attack.”
Atalanta sees the finish line of the Europa League semi-final, but in seven days it will be forbidden to distract. “Tonight we are very happy, we have placed a good mortgage, but Liverpool are an extraordinary team that can score goals in a short time. We have created a lot, I don’t know if we will be able to repeat this match but we will have to. In 7 days we must repeat ourselves”, concludes the Dea coach, Gian Piero Gasperini.
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