The game was over and both teams came off the field unhappy: Atalanta for not winning the duel and Leipzig because of it’s bad performance before the home crowd. The Germans were feeling high after a wondeful and effective win over Borussia in Dortmund, while Atalanta was moody after they lost to Napoli at home. But the „Goddess“ finally got it’s striking duo Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata back from injury, and they looked much better in the first game of the Europa League quarter final, and should have won: RB Leipzig – Atalanta 1-1.4 – Luis Muriel has scored 4 goals in European competitions this season (3 in the Europa League, 1 in the Champions League): this is his best tally in a single campaign. Missile.#UEL #LipsiaAtalanta pic.twitter.com/uhwH1mCqMl— OptaPaolo 🏆 (@OptaPaolo) April 7, 2022 As much as the game was boring for the first half an hour, it was equally exciting for the rest 60 minutes. Two goals, one missed penalty, three posts, one cross bar, one goal-line clearance and one own goal, with plenty of chances in between. Atalanta was the better team altogether and even scored both goals in this match, but eventually, it was Davide Zappacosta’s own goal which saved Leipzg from defeat.It started pretty boring, as both teams couldn’t create a chance, and then Luis Muriel made a great solo effort, got in between two Leipzig defenders and delivered a ‘bomb’ in the top left corner for the lead in the 17th minute. Atalanta was attacking and the goal was up in the air, but eventually, they failed to score the second one.
Young Demirel fouled Nkunku in the penalty area in the 57th minute only to see his teammate Musso save a shot from Andre Silva with one hand. But it was Zappacosta who scored an own goal in the next Leipzig attack for 1-1. Adrian Silva managed to hit the post for Leipzig, while Pasalic and Koopmeiners did the same on the oposite side, Dominik Szoboszlai hit the crossbar and Demiral cleared the ball of the line in the 92nd minute. Gulasci and Musso made a couple of good saves to make this game even better but unfortunately, we only saw two goals in the end. It will be an interesting 90 minutes in Bergamo…UEFA EUROPA LEAGUEQuarter-final, first legThursdayRB Leipzig – Atalanta 1-1 (0-1)/Zappacosta (og) 58 – Muriel 17/22.00: (5.10) Eintr.Frankfurt (3.70) Barcelona (1.70)22.00: (2.05) West Ham (3.50) Olympique Lyon (3.90)22.00: (2.30) Braga (3.35) Rangers (3.40)***odds are subject to change