Atalanta 2-1 Club Brugge Player Ratings: Mario Pasalic Rated 9/10 as Pasalic Header Seals Dramatic 2-1 Comeback

Atalanta clawed their way back from a goal down to snatch a dramatic 2-1 victory over Club Brugge. This was a proper Champions League night full of tension and late drama. From our perspective, the Italians fully deserved the three points in the end.

The visitors, Club Brugge, looked to have executed their game plan perfectly for large parts of this match. They went ahead through a clinical finish from the impressive Christos Tzolis just before the halftime whistle. For a while, it seemed like they would hold on for a famous away win.

However, the game's complexion changed entirely in the second half. A clumsy challenge from goalkeeper Nordin Jackers gifted Atalanta a penalty, which was coolly dispatched by substitute Lazar Samardzic. The momentum shifted completely, and the home side pushed relentlessly, culminating in Mario Pasalic's powerful header in the 87th minute to seal the comeback. It was a chaotic, thrilling end to a cagey affair which ended in favour of Atalanta

Here are Atalanta Vs Club Brugge Player Ratings

Atalanta Player Ratings vs Club Brugge

Here are Atalanta Player Ratings vs Club Brugge

Goalkeeper

Marco Carnesecchi - 6.0: He couldn't do much about the goal he conceded. It was a well-placed shot from Tzolis. He made one crucial save in the second half to keep his team in it. His distribution was a bit shaky, with only half his passes finding their target. Overall a quiet but slightly nervy performance.

Defenders

Odilon Kossounou - 6.0: Had a mixed evening before an unfortunate injury forced him off. He was decent in possession but looked a little vulnerable defensively. We noticed he lost the ball in a few tricky spots. His evening was cut short just after halftime, a real shame for him.

Berat Djimsiti - 7.5: A rock at the back for the Italian side. What stood out to us was his dominance in the air, winning 5 aerial duels. He was composed, strong in the tackle, and even created a big chance. A very commanding display from the central defender.

Honest Ahanor - 6.5: A solid if unspectacular outing. His passing was almost perfect, which helped Atalanta build from the back. However, he struggled in some of his duels and was dribbled past once. Did his job without any major fuss.

Midfielders

Éderson - 6.5: A bundle of energy in the midfield before he was subbed off. He won an impressive 7 duels and was a disruptive force. From our perspective, he was a bit wasteful in possession at times. A tireless performance nonetheless.

Marten de Roon - 5.5: Not the captain's best night. His costly error led directly to the opening goal which put his team under pressure. He tried to make amends but that mistake hangs over his performance. He also picked up a yellow card for a clumsy challenge.

Raoul Bellanova - 6.0: Played only the first half and had a relatively quiet game. He showed good accuracy with his passing but didn't offer much of a threat going forward. He was tidy but ineffective before being replaced at the break.

Lorenzo Bernasconi - 7.5: A very impressive performance from the wing-back. He was a constant outlet on the flank, delivering 9 crosses into the box. Created three chances for his teammates and was a real menace. His final ball was sometimes lacking, but his intent was always positive.

Forwards

Mario Pasalic - 9.0: The undisputed man of the match. He was the catalyst for the comeback. First, he won the penalty with a clever move inside the box. Then, he rose highest to power home the winning header. A brilliant, game-changing performance when his team needed it most.

Ademola Lookman - 6.5: A frustrating night for the forward. He was busy and got into some good positions but couldn't find the final product. He lost possession far too often for our liking. You could see his effort, but it just wasn't his day.

Nikola Krstović - 6.0: He worked hard up front but struggled to make a real impact. He was physically present but lost a lot of his duels and gave the ball away cheaply. Missed a decent header from a corner. Not a memorable outing for the striker.

Substitutes

Davide Zappacosta - 6.5: Added energy and purpose down the right flank after coming on at halftime.

Yunus Musah - 7.0: Provided the crucial assist for the winning goal. His introduction changed the game.

Lazar Samardzic - 7.5: Showed immense composure to score the equalizing penalty. A key contributor.

Kamaldeen Sulemana - 6.5: Looked lively and direct, causing problems with his pace.

Marco Brescianini - N/A: Came on too late to make an impact.

Manager

I. Juric - 8.0: His substitutions were spot on and changed the course of the match. He recognized the team needed a spark and his changes delivered spectacularly. Bringing on Musah and Samardzic proved to be a masterstroke. A great tactical victory for him.

Club Brugge Player Ratings vs Atalanta

Here are Club Brugge Player Ratings vs Atalanta

Goalkeeper

Nordin Jackers - 5.0: It all went wrong for the keeper in the second half. After a solid first period, he made a rash decision and conceded the penalty that let Atalanta back into the game. That single moment of madness cost his team dearly. A performance he'll want to forget quickly.

Defenders

Joel Ordóñez - 6.5: A very solid defensive display for most of the game. He was strong in the tackle and made several important clearances. He won most of his duels and looked comfortable. His night ended with an injury, which was a tough blow.

Brandon Mechele - 7.0: An absolute beast in defence. He won an incredible 86% of his duels and was a commanding presence. He made 7 clearances and was a constant thorn in the side of Atalanta's attackers. He did everything he could to keep his side in the lead.

Kyriani Sabbe - 7.0: He was excellent on the right side of the defence. His passing was superb, with an 86% success rate on his long balls. He made 7 clearances and blocked 3 shots. It was a surprise to see him substituted, as he was having a fine game.

Joaquin Seys - 7.5: A fantastic defensive performance, highlighted by a crucial clearance off the line. He was calm and composed throughout. His ball recovery was impressive, and he used the ball intelligently. One of Club Brugge's best players on the night.

Midfielders

Christos Tzolis - 8.0: The standout player for the visitors. He took his goal with fantastic composure and was a constant threat. He worked hard defensively too, making tackles and recovering the ball. A complete performance from the midfielder, who deserved to be on the winning side.

Carlos Forbs - 6.5: A solid if unspectacular game. He was diligent in his defensive duties, making 3 tackles. He was neat on the ball but didn't provide much of a creative spark. Did his job for the team before being substituted.

Cisse Sandra - 6.0: A mixed bag. He drew a couple of fouls and won a decent number of duels. However, what stood out to us was how often he lost possession, giving it away 11 times. He put in a shift but lacked quality in key moments.

Hans Vanaken - 6.5: The captain tried to dictate play but couldn't stamp his authority on the game. He kept the ball moving with a high pass accuracy but created only one chance. We expected a little more influence from a player of his quality.

Aleksandar Stanković - 7.0: A really solid performance in the middle of the park. He made a last-man tackle that was crucial in the first half. He was tidy in possession and strong in his challenges. A disciplined and effective display.

Forwards

Nicolò Tresoldi - 6.5: Provided the assist for the opening goal which was a great moment. However, he also missed a big chance that could have changed the game. He worked hard but was physically outmatched in many of his duels. A decent contribution overall.

Substitutes

Romeo Vermant - 6.0: Brought on to add fresh legs up front but had little impact.

Hugo Vetlesen - 6.0: Tried to get involved but the game was slipping away.

Shandre Campbell - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Bjorn Meijer - N/A: Late defensive change.

Zaid Romero - N/A: Replaced the injured Ordóñez.

Manager

N. Hayen - 6.5: His initial game plan was working perfectly. His team was organized, disciplined, and took their chance well. However, his side couldn't react once Atalanta equalized. They seemed to lose their shape and composure, ultimately letting the game slip away.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Mario Pasalic