AMSTERDAM (AP) – Substitute Luis Muriel put Atalanta in the Champions League qualifier on Wednesday, scoring in the 85th minute to secure a 1-0 win over Ajax at 10 and secure the position at the moment in Group D.
As the Ajax complex in search of victory to progress, Remo Freuler won the ball in the middle of the field and temporarily overlooked Muriel, who overlooked goalkeeper André Onana and slid the ball into the net.
Liverpool were already confident in the most sensible place in Group D before being limited to a 1–1 draw in Midtjylland.
Atalanta has progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals for a timely time, having reached the quarter-finals last season on his competitive debut.
Ajax finished third in the organization and will have to settle for a place in the Europa League.
An injured Ajax, lacking Daley Blind, David Neres and Lassina Traore, owned the property for the most part of the game, but lacked attacking style and could not break Atalanta’s well-organized defense.
Only when unemployment at the end of the first half forced Atalanta goalkeeper Brian Brobbey, 18, to act directly at Pierluigi Gollini after a clever work on Antony’s right flank.
Atalanta looked damaging at halftime, but could not score a framed shot in the first half, with a shot with Dutch foreigner Marten’s left-hander up and out in the 19th minute being the clearest opportunity.
They went further after halftime, with Noussair Mazraoui blocking a shot from Matteo Pessina at 66 while the gaps were widening in Ajax’s defense.
Looking for more attacking options, Ajax coach Erik ten Hag signed veteran forward Klaas Jan Huntelaar in the position of defender Nicols Tagliafico in the 63rd minute, who failed to score a goal.
Midfielder Davy Klaassen wasted Ajax’s opportunity, getting too close to Gollini, who got along well with a tense foot in the 75th minute.
Ajax were reduced to 10 men in the 79th minute when Ryan Gravenberch for the time being ejected the yellow card after a foul on Alejandro Gómez.
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