BERGAMO, Italy (AP) – FC Midtjylland secured their first Champions League on Tuesday with a 1–1 draw in Atalanta.
Central defender Cristian Romero scored his first goal for Atalanta with 11 minutes to play to cancel Alexander Scholz’s first match in the first half.
However, it was a historic point for Midtjylland, who had lost their last 4 matches, conceding 11 goals and scoring two.
“I’m incredibly proud to add a point with Midtjylland, and we may have won all three, but it’s glorious to hear the whistle at the end,” goalkeeper Jesper Hansen said.
Atalanta took the position so far in Group D, one point above Ajax, which lost 1-0 in Liverpool. The effects mean that Atalanta wants a point against Ajax in holland next week to send them to the playoffs for the time being in a year in a row.
“It wasn’t easy, we haven’t qualified yet, this draw gives us little credit for the fit in Amsterdam,” said Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
“We can go there and play with the same courage and determination we saw in Liverpool. At the beginning of the season, I would have signed on the points line to be at this point in those conditions. “
Gasperini reached the quarter-finals last year in his first Champions League campaign.
Atalanta had lost at home to Hellas Verona in the league this weekend and they were still full of confidence after beating Liverpool at Anfield last week.
The Italian team wasted a couple of early and had to pay for their debauchery when Midtjylland took the lead in the 13th minute. Sory Kaba dropped a ball from his back on purpose and Scholz sent him to the left back corner.
Midtjylland defended resolutely and sought the maximum that they would likely score as the Danish team sought their first victory in the competition.
But Atalanta besathed Midtjylland’s purpose and nevertheless broke when Hans Hateboer set up a center from the right and defenseman Romero pitched it in the most sensitive corner.
“We play well in defence and in midfield we lack a bit of attack,” Gasperini said. “We fought for Array . . . and when you can’t believe the chances, nervousness also settles in.
“Luckily Romero scored, maybe I’ll play it head-on.
___
More AP football: https://apnews. com/Soccer and https://twitter. com/AP_Sports