In a thrilling Champions League encounter, Atalanta twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Barcelona at the Camp Nou. Despite the impressive result, the Italian side narrowly missed out on a top-eight finish, which would have guaranteed them a spot in the Round of 16.
The match was a showcase of attacking football from both sides. Barcelona struck first early in the second half when young sensation Lamine Yamal capitalized on a Raphinha assist, deftly maneuvering past Atalanta’s defense to score.
Atalanta’s resilience shone through as they equalized through Ederson, who skillfully evaded a tackle before firing a low shot into the bottom corner. Barcelona regained the lead when Ronald Araujo headed in from a corner, but Atalanta refused to yield. Mario Pasalic leveled the score once more, controlling a cross from Marten de Roon and slotting past the onrushing Wojciech Szczesny.
The draw, while impressive, wasn’t enough to propel Atalanta into the coveted top eight positions. They will now face a play-off to continue their European journey.
The match ended on a somber note for Atalanta as Giorgio Scalvini suffered what appeared to be a serious shoulder injury. The young defender fell awkwardly during a corner and had to be stretchered off the field, casting a shadow over an otherwise spirited performance by the Italian side.
This injury adds to Atalanta’s growing list of sidelined players, including Ademola Lookman, Odilon Kossounou, and Gianluca Scamacca. Barcelona also faced their own injury challenges, missing several key players for this crucial encounter.
As the group stage concludes, both teams will now turn their attention to the next phase of the competition, with Barcelona advancing directly to the Round of 16 and Atalanta preparing for the play-offs
Goals: Yamal 47 (B), Ederson 67 (A), Araujo 72 (B), Pasalic 79 (A)
Barcelona (4-3-3): Szczesny; Koundé, Araujo, Eric Garcia (69′ Cubarsì), Baldé; Gavi (69′ Torres), De Jong, Pedri (81′ Casado); Yamal (90’+7 Pau Victor), Lewandowski (69′ Fermin Lopez), Raphinha
Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac (55′ Scalvini); Bellanova (76′ Cuadrado), de Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta (78′ Ruggeri); Pasalic; Retegui (77′ Zaniolo), De Ketelaere (86′ Brescianini).
