Overview
In the first leg of the Champions League play-off round, Atalanta suffered a regrettable 1-2 loss to Club Brugge with a goal conceded in extra time. After that, coach Gian Piero Gasperini's team continued to have another disappointing match when they were held to a goalless draw by Cagliari.
If they want to come back against Club Brugge, Atalanta need to make a lot more effort. The Serie A representative still has certain advantages such as playing at home at Gewiss, where they defeated Sturm Graz 5-0.
Atalanta are also expected to promote their scoring ability as they showed in the group stage with 20 goals, only behind Barcelona and Dortmund.
Meanwhile, Club Brugge's away form will make their fans worried. Last weekend, they almost lost to the relegated team St. Truiden but still kept 1 point thanks to a goal in the 90+1 minute by Tzolis.
It was also the 4th consecutive match that coach Nicky Hayen's team did not win away from home. Before that, the Belgian club lost to Man City, Antwerp and drew with Genk.
Not to mention, in the last 3 away matches in the Champions League, Club Brugge have not won (lost 2, drawn 1), scored only 3 goals but conceded 7 times. It is likely that Club Brugge will stumble in the trip to Gewiss Stadium and give Atalanta a ticket to the round of 16.
Club Brugge's 2-1 victory last week was the first time the two clubs have met in European competition.
Personnel situation
Atalanta's recent decline may be due to the absence of key strikers Gianluca Scamacca and Ademola Lookman. Both will be absent again along with Sead Kolasinac, Daniel Maldini, Giorgio Scalvini and Odilon Kossounou.
On the other side of the front line, Club Brugge's squad has not suffered many losses as only Bjorn Meijer is absent and Zaid Romero is uncertain to play.
Expected lineup:
Atalanta: Rui patricio, Hien, Posch, Djimsiti, Ederson, De Roon, Cuadrado, Zappacosta, Pasalic, De Ketelaere, Retegui.
Club Brugge: Mignolet, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper, Seys, Tzolis, Onyedika, Vanaken, Jashari, Talbi, Jutgla.
The match between Atalanta and Club Brugge takes place at 3:00 am on February 19 (Vietnam time).
