Gian Piero Gasperini’s men came into Matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League with high expectations. A week after dismantling Premier League conquerors Liverpool, Atalanta were expected to make little work of Danish side Midtjylland. However, Brian Priske’s men stood resolute and denied the Italians much-needed points in the elite European cup competition.
When the referee Anastasios Sidiropoulos of Greece blew for full time, the two sides could not be separated. It was the Danes who took the lead through Alexander Scholz in the 13th minute. The Bergamaschi should not have allowed it and were left trying to break through for the majority of the game.
Their efforts paid dividends in the 79th minute, with Cristian Romero heading home to equalize. The scorers would not be troubled again despite their best efforts.
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Atalanta had only scored once before in the first period in eight attempts, and Brian Priske sent his men out to get the advantage as early as possible. Midtjylland started the game brilliantly, putting the hosts on the back foot from the get-go. Joel Andersson and Anders Dreyer made darting runs to force the issue.
However, the best opportunity from the initial exchanges came to Atalanta. Hans Hateboer should have done with his effort after a penalty box scramble but could only force an easy save from Jesper Hansen. A similar result was seen from Duvan Zapata’s attempts. The ball flew high over the bar in the first incident and safely into Jesper Hansen’s arms in the second.
La Dea’s profligacy would come to haunt them moments later. Remo Freuler tripped Frank Onyeka as a free-kick was awarded to Midtjylland. Anders Dreyer’s resulting ball was cleared but only made as far as the waiting Joel Andersson. The Swedish defender sent a lofted ball into the area and found Sory Kaba. He would chest it down to the rushing Alexander Scholz, whose volley had no answer from Marco Sportiello. Advantage Midtjylland.
The discontent at going a goal down was evident on Gian Piero Gasperini’s face. Atalanta had conceded again and made their task of their first win at home in six games even more difficult. As the minutes passed by, La Dea camped outside the Danish penalty box to no avail.
Matteo Pessina should have equalized in the 32nd minute, but his effort was off target. For the rest of the first half, they would huff and puff but would have nothing to show for.
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During the break, the orders must have been simple for both sides. Keep the lead for the Danish outfit. Equalize at all costs for the Italians. The latter would come true but not without lack of trying from the visitors. Priske’s men should have doubled their tally through Sory Kaba. The provider of the first goal could only hit the crossbar as he received the ball from Daniel Hoegh. Atalanta would not allow another opportunity of this magnitude again.
With fifteen minutes remaining in the game, La Dea went into overdrive. Crosses were bombarded as fresh legs of substitutes gave Midtjylland some scares. Amad Traore tested Jesper Hansen on two occasions, but the goalkeeper was up to the task.
However, he had no answer when Hans Hateboer swung in a cross from the left flank and found Cristian Romero. Like Alexander Scholz before him, the defender made his chance count and headed the ball into the right side.
Both sides cautiously tried to create opportunities in the remaining eleven minutes of regulation time and five additional minutes. Atalanta showed intent, but it would not to fruition. Duvan Zapata could not contain himself from falling over, and there were far too many missed through balls.
When Anastasios Sidiropoulos blew for full time, the tied result was deserved by both sides. Gasperini would question his side’s return of only a single goal from 18 attempts, while Priske would be annoyed by the Wolves’ late concession. The result gives Midtjylland their first points of the campaign, as they look to cherish their upcoming game against Liverpool.
Meanwhile, it is do-or-die for Atalanta in their trip to Amsterdam. They need at least a draw against Ajax to progress into the knockout stages.
MATCH REPORT
December 1, 2020 – Champions League 2020-21 Group Stage
ATALANTA-MIDTJYLLAND 1-1
SCORERS: 14′ Scholz (M), 79′ Romero (A)
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ATALANTA (3-4-1-2): Sportiello; Djimsiti, Romero, Palomino (68′ Toloi); Hateboer, Pessina, Freuler (68′ De Roon), Gosens (86′ Ruggeri); Gomez (46′ Ilicic); Muriel (68′ Traore), Zapata (Rossi, Depaoli, Gelmi, Mojica, Panada, Piccini, Scalvini) Coach: Gasperini |
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MIDTJYLLAND (4-1-4-1): Hansen; Andersson, James, Scholz, Paulinho; Hoegh; Dreyer (82′ Isaksen), Anderson, Onyeka, Mabil (67′ Vibe); Kaba (82′ Madsen) (Cools, Dyhr, Kraev, Ottesen, Pfeiffer, Schwartz, Sery Larsen, Sorensen, Thorsen) Coach: Priske |
REFEREE: Sidiropoulos (Greece)
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Djimsiti, Romero (A), Kaba, Paulinho (M); Extra Time: 1st Half 0′, 2nd Half 5′