After the first game in Leipzig, home team manager Domenico Tedesco was well beaten by his older colleague Gianpiero Gasperini, who set up the game perfectly, but failed to win in Germany and make life easier for himself. But the German tactician was not gonna be denied for the second time. Tedesco has done his homework and tactically closed the home team, who didn’t have a proper chance to score in Bergamo. Oh, and he also had Cristopher Nkunku, the hottest Bundesliga player (and player of the month), who scored the brace and secured a win in Italy for the semifinal against the winner of the match Rangers – Braga: Atalanta – RB Leipzig 0-2. The ’Goddess’ failed to produce a good display like in the last season, and they are going through a result crisis in recent weeks, with this defeat will only further disrupting the atmosphere in the club. After the first match, it looked like Atalanta could go to the semifinal, but now, they are left only to fight for the 6th place in Serie A, which leads to the Conference League.Christopher Nkunku now has 29 goals across all competitions. Robert Lewandowski (47) is the only Bundesliga player with more in 2021/22. 🇫🇷🌟. pic.twitter.com/S0Em1nSJx1— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) April 14, 2022 Atalanta wanted to play dominantly like in Leipzig, but the guests didn’t allow it this time. The Germans were all over the place and were determined not to allow any goals. Leipzig players closed any possible lanes for the home team players, and all Atalanta could do in the first half was to create two half-chances, one in the 5th and the second in the 17th minute, but both Zappacosta from the left and Malinovskyi from the right were not so scary for Leipzig keeper Gulacsi. But on on the other side Leipzig were dangerious enough to score, after a quick counter attack, which started from their own half. Henrichs passed the ball forward to Laimer who was already on the run, and he ran for around 40 meters untouched before storming into the penalty area and assisting Nkunku for the lead.It looked that nothing coach Gasperini said during half time worked, as we saw the same old story in the second half as well. In fact, the guests had better chances of the game, using Nkunku’s speed, Angelino’s crosses and Olmo’s pass. In the 55th minute, home keeper Musso missed the ball, but was quick enough to come back and touch it just enough to prevent Laimer from scoring the second goal. Nkunku beautifully dribbled Palomino but Musso was able to save his shot. Atalanta’s best chance cathroughrou Hateboer, the right back was not precise. Gasperini decided to put in the heavy artillery, so Luis Muriel came in to partner Duvan Zapata in the attack, but to no avail. Everything was finished in the 87th minute, when Musso tripped Nkunku in the penalty area and the Frenchmen converted from the white spot for the final score.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUEQuarter-final, second legThursdayAtalanta – RB Leipzig 0-2 (0-1) /first leg 1-1//Nkunku 18, 87 pen/22.00: (1.40) Barcelona (5.30) Eintr.Frankfurt (8.00) /first leg 1-1/22.00: (2.25) Olympique Lyon (3.40) West Ham (3.45) /first leg 1-1/22.00: (2.05) Rangers (3.50) Braga (3.90) /first leg 0-1/***odds are subject to change
