A memorable evening, another magical night at Meazza Stadium: a 4-1 win over Valencia in the first leg of the 2019-2020 UEFA Champions League Round of Sixteen in front of over 45,000 spectators. A truly fantastic show for all to see.
Before the start, Gasperini is forced to substitute Djimsiti in the warm-up with Caldara who is sent in to replace him. It is a lively match right from the first minutes and the first opportunity after eight minutes is on the feet of Pašalić who gets an amazing reaction from Domenech. The advantage, however, is only postponed for a few minutes: at the 16th minute Gomez looks for and finds Hateboer on the other goalpost side and the Dutch right back gets one step ahead of the defender and scores. At the 30th Valencia has an opportunity with Ferran Torres hitting the post and at the 35th minute Mangala misses a deflected ball just steps away. At the 42nd minute, however, Iličić comes through with a miracle to double, kicking right from the boundary and beating Domenech with the ball which, deflected by the goalkeeper, nets under the crossbar for a goal.
In the second half the Nerazzurri pressure does not let up and after a great assist from Gomez, it’s 3-0 with Freuler’s signature on it and a wonderful right-footed kick from the boundary line that slips just under the far top corner of the goalpost. At the 60th minute Gollini saves an attempt from Maxi Gomez who is alone in the middle area and two minutes later Hateboer powers through the Spanish defence for the fourth time wrapping up a personal brace. Valencia’s reaction produces a goal from Cheryshev who has just entered with a left from the edge in the corner. At the 70th Gollini again denies Maxi Gomez a second goal. It ends at 4-1, and access to the quarterfinals will be at stake on March 10th at Mestalla Stadium.
ATALANTA-VALENCIA 4-1
Goals: 16′ f.h. Hateboer (A), 42′ f.h. Iličić (A), 12′ s.h. Freuler (A), 18′ s.h. Hateboer (A), 21′ s.h. Ceryshev (V)
Atalanta: Gollini, Toloi, Caldara (30′ s.h. Zapata), Palomino, Hateboer, de Roon, Freuler, Gosens, Pašalić (47′ s.h. Tameze), Iličić, A. Gomez (36′ s.h. Malinovskyi). Bench: Sportiello, Muriel, Czyborra, Castagne. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Valencia: Domenech, Wass, Diakhabi, Mangala, Gayà, Ferran Torres, Parejo, Kondogbia, Soler, Maxi Gomez (28′ s.h. Gameiro), Guedes (19′ s.h. Cheryshev). Bench: Cillessen, Thierry, Costa, Sobrino, Gutierrez. Coach: Albert Celades.
Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG).
Assistant referees: Stuart Burt (ENG) and Simon Bennet (ENG).
Fourth official: Martin Atkinson (ENG).
V.A.R.: Chris Kavanagh (ENG).
A.V.A.R.: Craig Pawson (ENG).
Notes: 45,792 spectators, Hateboer (A) booked