The second leg of the 2024/25 Champions League playoff between Atalanta (Italy) and Club Brugge (Belgium) will take place on February 18 at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo. The first match ended 2-1 in favor of Club Brugge. Atalanta vs. Club Brugge: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Atalanta
Gian Piero Gasperini's team suffered a 1-2 defeat away in the first leg. As a result, Atalanta failed to win for the third time in their last four Champions League matches (1 draw, 2 losses). Nevertheless, the team has scored 21 goals in this season's competition, ranking fifth among all teams. To advance to the next round, the Italians need to win by at least two goals after 90 minutes. It's noteworthy that the club has only reached the round of 16 in the Champions League twice before.
- The team has not won in regular time in 10 of their last 12 home matches in the Champions League (5 draws, 5 losses).
- At least four goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 4 of the last 6 home games in this competition.
- The Italians have kept a clean sheet in 3 of their last 4 home matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Atalanta (3-4-2-1)
Rui Patrício – Sead Kolašinac, Berat Djimsiti, Stefan Posch – Raoul Bellanova, Marten de Roon, Ederson Lourenço, Davide Zappacosta – Mario Pašalić, Charles De Ketelaere – Mateo Retegui.
Defenders Giorgio Scalvini and Odilon Kossounou, midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana, and forwards Daniel Maldini and Gianluca Scamacca will miss the game due to injuries.
Club Brugge
After securing a victory in the first leg, Nicky Hayen's side managed to remain unbeaten for the fifth time in their last six Champions League matches (3 wins, 2 draws). Additionally, this was only the second match in this competition where the club scored more than once. A draw after 90 minutes will be enough for the Belgians to advance, and if they lose by just one goal, extra time will be played. It's worth noting that Club Brugge has only reached the round of 16 once before, in the 2022/23 season.
- The club has not won in regular time in 6 of their last 7 away matches in the Champions League (3 draws, 3 losses).
- Both opponents have scored in 4 of the last 5 away games in this competition.
- The Belgians have scored exactly one goal in regular time in their last five away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Club Brugge (4-3-3)
Simon Mignolet – Maxim De Cuyper, Brandon Mechele, Joel Ordonez, Joaquin Sosa – Raphael Onyedika, Ardon Jashari, Hans Vanaken – Ferran Jutglà, Chemsdine Talbi, Christos Tzolis.
Referee
Felix Zwayer (England)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 42;
Average yellow cards per match – 6;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 14%.
Atalanta vs. Club Brugge: Match Prediction
It's somewhat unusual to see Atalanta's home record in the Champions League, as they tend to win more frequently at home in Serie A. However, what Atalanta has excelled in this season's top European competition is their defense. In four home matches during the group stage, the Italians kept three clean sheets, only conceding against Real Madrid.
The Belgians will find it challenging to create chances in this match: the team has not scored more than one goal in any of their last seven away Champions League games. Furthermore, Club Brugge has scored only seven goals in the group stage of this competition, the lowest among all playoff participants.
I believe that after winning the first leg, the Belgians will focus on defense and spend less time attacking. I think Atalanta will once again play solidly at the back, so my prediction: Club Brugge Individual Total Under 0.5
