Atalanta vs Villarreal 2-3: Danjuma Brace Knocks Out La Dea

Atalanta were knocked out of the Champions League on Thursday evening as Arnaut Danjuma’s brace helped Villarreal to a 3-2 victory in Bergamo. 

Played a day later after the match was postponed on Wednesday due to heavy snowfall in Bergamo, Atalanta and Villarreal found out their fate in the final fixture of the Champions League group stages after Manchester United and Young Boys had already played out a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening. 

Villarreal put in an wonderful performance here, with stout defending, effective counter-attacking play and clinical finishing. Raul Albiol and Pau Torres were strong at the back throughout, whilst Danjuma was dazzling in the offense. 

However, you could sense the nerves in Unai Emery’s side late on as Atalanta pushed to get back into the match and mount a comeback. 

Villarreal On Top

It was the visitors who made a fast start out of the blocks. Dani Parejo was able to nick the ball off of Atalanta defender Merih Demiral, nutmegging him and playing in Danjuma in the process. The Dutchman broke away from the Atalanta defense and put Villarreal in front, placing the ball through the legs of ‘keeper Juan Musso with a composed finish. 

Remo Freuler had a decent effort with a curling shot from just outside the area, however, Geronimo Rulli was there to make the save. Atalanta continued to push for an equaliser, knowing that they needed nothing but a win to progress further in the Champions League this season. 

Danjuma continued to be a threat for the Yellow Submarine, with his pace and skill causing all sorts of problems for the Atalanta defense, especially as Emery’s side looked to hit on the counter and protect their lead. 

Ilicic wanted a penalty with just over ten minutes remaining in the first half when he danced through the Villarreal defense inside the box and was felled. However, Anthony Taylor waved play on, with there being very minimal contact on the Slovenian. 

However, just before half time, Villarreal struck again when Etienne Capoue doubled their lead. The visitors were effective on the counter once more and the Frenchman was able to rifle the ball home with an excellent finish from close range. Villarreal needed just a point to secure qualification, meaning Atalanta would need to come up with three goals with just 45 minutes remaining. 

Danjuma scored his second of the night just after half time, which all but sealed the result here, when he turned past captain Rafael Toloi excellently in the box before finishing past Musso. Gerard Moreno drove into the box past a falling Jose Palomino and slid the ball across to Danjuma. The former Bournemouth man made no mistake as he continued with his excellent performance. 

Atalanta Mount Comeback

Luis Muriel was subbed on for Marten De Roon as Gian Piero Gasperini did everything for Atalanta to make a comeback. Substitute Ruslan Malinovskyi struck the bar with a dangerous free kick just before the hour mark but the hosts still could not find the back of the net. 

Duvan Zapata, who had been Atalanta’s most dangerous player all evening, missed a great chance to pull a goal back for the hosts. The ball fell to him from just a few yards out but the Colombian put his effort wide as La Dea’s frustrating evening continued. 

Atalanta did manage to pull a goal back and offer a glimmer of hope with just under 20 minutes remaining when Malinovskyi struck with an excellent finish from outside the box. 

The mood changed in Bergamo late on as Zapata found a second goal for the hosts, chipping the ball exquisitely over ‘keeper Rulli. Atalanta now needed just two more goals to complete the comeback. 

Zapata had another opportunity and could have levelled the scores but his free header was straight at Rulli. Just a couple of minutes later, Luis Muriel struck the left post with a fierce shot from outside the 18-yard box. The rebound hit Toloi but it flew past the right post. 

The hosts continued to push and probe in the final few minutes but could not find a way back into the match with there being too much damage already done earlier on. 

What’s Next for Atalanta and Villarreal?

Atalanta finish in third place in Group F of the Champions League so will qualify for the next round of the Europa League in the Spring of next year. They will travel to Verona on Sunday in Serie A for their next fixture. 

Villarreal secured their qualification into the round of 16, finishing in second place behind Manchester United. They play host to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday in La Liga action. 

MATCH SCORECARD

December 9, 2021 – UEFA Champions League 2021-22 Round 6
ATALANTA – VILLARREAL 2-3

SCORERS: 3′ Danjuma, 42′ Capoue, 51′ Danjuma (V), 71′ Malinovskyi, 80′ Zapata (A)