Champions League | Atalanta 2-1 Club Brugge – Dea off the mark in Europe | OneFootball

Atalanta had to come from behind through Lazar Samardzic and Mario Pasalic to claim their first Champions League victory of the season with a 2-1 win over Club Brugge at the New Balance Arena on Tuesday night.

There was no Isak Hien, Giorgio Scalvini or Sead Kolasinac in defence for La Dea, nor Charles De Ketelaere, Gianluca Scamacca or Nicola Zalewski further up the pitch.

That, however, meant that Ademola Lookman was called into the starting line-up for the first time this season, following his attempts to leave the club over the course of the summer transfer window. There was also a first start of the campaign for Brazilian midfielder, Ederson.

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Atalanta threatened early on through Lorenzo Bernasconi, who thundered a fierce volley just wide of the target from 25 yards out after less than four minutes.

Ederson, Lookman and Mario Pasalic all tried their best to get Atalanta ahead, but it was the visitors who would claim the first-half lead.

Carlos Forbs capitalised when Marten De Roon gave up possession midway through his own half. The Portuguese played in Nicolo Tresoldi, who slipped it to Tzolis on the edge of the area, where he was able to bend past Marco Carnesecchi for 1-0.

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 30: Christos Tzolis of Club Brugge scores his teams first goal past Marco Carnesecchi of Atalanta during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Atalanta BC and Club Brugge KV at Stadio di Bergamo on September 30, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

Atalanta had to wait until the final 20 minutes to find the equaliser. Nordin Jackers did brilliantly to stop Musah while charging into the area, but the Brugge goalkeeper overcommitted and brought down Mario Pasalic on the follow-up.

Samardzic stepped up to convert the penalty just inside the right post to level for Atalanta with what was his first competitive goal this calendar year.

Then, with three minutes of regular time remaining, Pasalic stole the lead with a well-placed header from Samardzic’s corner delivery, sending the New Balance Arena into a frenzy.

Atalanta, who had been eliminated by Club Brugge in the Champions League play-off round last season, are now off the mark with their first victory in Europe this season.

Atalanta 2-1 Club Brugge

Tzolis (CB) 38’, Samardzic (A) 74’, Pasalic (A) 87′

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 30: Lorenzo Bernasconi of Atalanta lines up a shot at goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Atalanta BC and Club Brugge KV at Stadio di Bergamo on September 30, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)