By Daily Sports on December 12, 2019

Atalanta have made history as they qualified for the Champions League knockout phase despite failing to win any of their first four matches following a 3-0 win away at Shakhar Donetsk on Wednesday.

Gian Piero Gasperini's men lost each of their first three matches, but dragged themselves back into contention to qualify.

They kicked off their debut campaign with a 4-0 defeat at Dinamo before suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Shakhtar and losing 5-1 at City. In their home match against Pep Guardiola's side, they were 1-0 down before Gabriel Jesus missed a penalty and they eventually drew 1-1.

A 2-0 win over Dinamo at home meant victory away to Champions League regulars Shakhtar coupled with a City win in Croatia would have seen them progress. City did their job, winning 4-1

And they approached the game with confidence, squandering plenty of chances, while also relying on goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini to make several good saves.

Atalanta were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men when Luis Muriel, already on a booking, fouled Dodo, but referee Felix Zwayer awarded a free kick and no further punishment.

The Serire A side profited from their bout of good fortune and opened the scoring on 66 minutes through Timothy Castagne. The odds moved even further in Atalanta's favour as Dodo saw red for Shakhtar 11 minutes later following an off-the ball clash.

On 80 minutes, Mario Pasalic made the result secure when he nudged home Ruslan Malinovskyi's free kick. Robin Gosens added a third in stoppage time, capitalising on a dreadful defensive error. (Goal)

•PHOTO: Atalanta players 

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 12, 2019

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