Club Brugge stun Atalanta as they progress to Champions League last 16
BERGAMO, Italy, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Teenager Chemsdine Talbi scored an early double as Club Brugge stormed into a three-goal lead before holding off a second-half onslaught for a 3-1 away win over Atalanta in their Champions League knockout phase playoff second-leg tie on Tuesday.
Ferran Jutgla netted the visitors' other goal as Brugge stunned the Italian side with a 3-0 halftime lead, but they had to fight a desperate rearguard action in the second half as their hosts looked to conjure up an unlikely comeback.
Ademola Lookman pulled one goal back for Atalanta but then had a penalty saved by veteran goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who made several other important stops to stymie home hopes and see the Belgian side advance to the last 16 5-2 on aggregate.
Atalanta's elimination added to a calamitous night for Italian football, following AC Milan's exit earlier when they were held to a 1-1 draw by visitors Feyenoord of the Netherlands and went out of the Champions League 2-1 on aggregate.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Celtic transfer clock is ticking on hot prospect as ghost of missed target hovers
It's difficult to judge a player when they are up against the international equivalent of the Dog and Duck pub team. Lennon Miller produced an impressive performance on his fist Scotland start against Liechtenstein – but it wasn't anything we didn't already know. Everyone is well aware of how good a player he is and it was clear he was levels above the opposition the other night. And it's also now obvious Celtic are going to have to get their skates on if they want to sign him. The clock is ticking – and the fee is rising. It's going to continue to rise by the week by the looks of it, and the longer it goes on, the more danger there is they will miss out. Fans will be fearing the ghost of John McGinn is hovering over the club again. No one will forget the fallout when they missed out on the midfielder when he was at Hibs and he ended up at Aston Villa. Brendan Rodgers wasn't happy at the time, especially when the cost was relatively low. McGinn was a top player back then but in fairness, I don't think many would have predicted he'd go on to captain Villa and lead them to the Champions League. But he'll always be the one that got away – and it could be the same with Miller. The circumstances are different with these players though and times have changed. McGinn was a bit older while Miller is not even 19 years-old yet. And I also suspect this time it will be down to whether Rodgers can see a role and a path for him at Parkhead. He certainly fits the bill when it comes to the profile of player Celtic go for and the club's model. Miller is already established but he's got bags of potential and development to come. Motherwell know it as well and they are right to hold out for top money. It's up to Celtic to meet their valuation. I always get impatient when it comes to these things. I know how football works and I know it can take time. But why risk things not working out? If he's a player they want, go and get him. It will only end up costing them in the long run. You look at the £11m spent on Arne Engels – another prospect – and the £9m on Adam Idah, and it's clear they are not scared to spend money. So if it costs £5m or £6m to land Miller – just go and do it. There is an argument about who he'd replace in the side and if he'd get game time immediately. Is he going to oust Reo Hatate or Engels, will he even go ahead of Luke McCowan after a solid first season and what would that mean for Paulo Bernardo, who has looked decent but had a poor end to the season? But from what you hear from Miller, he's a confident lad and he'd back himself to break into the side. And if that's the case and he does the business, then it would be a bargain. His value won't go down, that's for sure. Even if it didn't work out, it's hardly a disaster. Celtic have the money and they spent similar amounts on guys like Vasilis Barkas – and look how that went. I don't see it as a similar risk. Miller has already shown he can do it in Scotland and you'd imagine he'd reach greater heights training with better players every day. Celtic need to be careful because even if it gets to £8m or £10m, that's the kind of money found down the back of most EPL couches. Sunderland have been linked already but he shouldn't be tempted by that one. They'll go straight back down and would he rather be in the Champions League or the Championship? It's a no brainer for me. Celtic should be targeting the best homegrown talents, to add to the likes of Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Anthony Ralston and now Kieran Tierney, and it gives the team a Scottish core. The return of Tierney is a major boost. Listen, we know he's had injury issues and that is going to be a question mark. But there is absolutely no doubting his quality. If he stays fit he'll be a brilliant signing, it's as simple as that. There is a need for a strong back up though, just going on recent evidence. Tierney isn't going to play every minute of a 55 game season. He's just not. That means there needs to be a more than capable left back on the books to slot in some weeks or come off the bench. Greg Taylor would have been ideal but it looks like that ship has sailed, so Celtic need to address it. There's a few other matters to tackle as well. It looks like Celtic have cranked up a gear this week and there are several irons in the fire – with a lot of wingers linked with the club. The key is getting the deals done quickly. This is not a summer to be messing around, with the Champions League qualifier on the horizon. Lessons – like the McGinn one – have to be learned and if Rodgers has a vision for Miller then the club needs to get the chequebook out and make it happen.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Josh Doig relishing McTominay and Gilmour Napoli battle as Scots thriving in Italy offers pathway for next top talents
The Scotland new boy - who made his debut against Liechtenstein - will back in the Serie A big time with Sassuolo next term Josh Doig can't wait to get back into Serie A to get a crack at Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour. The Scotland new boy, who made his debut against Liechtenstein on Monday, won't have to wait too long because newly-promoted Sassuolo will entertain the Italian champions at home on the opening day of the new Serie A season. Doig was with McTominay and Gilmour in the international squad and now he will face up to the title-winning pair on his return to the Italian top-flight. He said: 'I have just found out about Napoli. It will be our first game at home, so that will be a good one for us Scottish boys. 'It is a big game and the kind of match you want to play in. Scott and Billy will be coming to us.' Doig helped Sassuolo win Serie B and has been part of a massive success story for the Scots in Italy last season. The Napoli pair had their success while Lewis Ferguson also won the cup with Bologna. The full-back said: 'It's been some impact, the Scottish boys have made out in Italy. 'We seem to just go over and thrive, which is a good thing for us Scots, We've got a good name over there, obviously Scotty and Billy are big names. 'Che (Adams) is doing well, Liam (Henderson) and Fergie as well. So many Scottish players over there just now are making their mark. 'For young boys coming through, it's a place that you can look at and there's opportunities there. It's exciting times.' The pathway was all kicked off by the success of Aaron Hickey at Bologna. He also convinced Doig to get his passport out. He said: 'Hickey kicked it off. It seems to be a good market for them. When I first went over I spoke to Hickey. 'He said it's just such a different lifestyle altogether, but I'm loving it, absolutely loving it. I couldn't be happier over there.' Doig and Andy Irving could have made some unique Scottish football history when they made their national team debuts this week. The close friends both made their international bows together coming on in a double change in Monday's 4-0 win over Liechtenstein. The pair attended Newcraighall Primary School at the same time although Irving was a couple of years above. They were still close as their dads are best pals, having played football together with Edinburgh City. Doig said: 'It was just after half-time. Myself and Andy got the shout. It is funny because we are both really close. 'I grew up with Andy all the way through primary school and we have been pals for ages. 'It was Newcraighall Primary School. There are only about 100 people there, which is what makes it so crazy because it's so small. It's a nice story for the school, Andy and myself. 'Andy's two years older but we grew up together. His dad and my dad are best friends. They played together at Edinburgh City and stuff. 'I'm talking primary school to spending every New Year together, so it's just mental for us to come on and make our Scotland debuts at the same time. 'We were like, 'Oh my God.' We didn't know what to say. I'm buzzing for Andy and myself.' Doig has been in several Scotland squads previously and is delighted to have finally got that elusive cap. The former Hibs youngster said: 'I'm so happy, I can't put it into words. I am delighted. 'I was saying that to some of the boys, you never know if you're going to get on and obviously, I've been in a few squads. 'I'm just absolutely bursting with pride. We knew we had a job to do, obviously, but I was like, this is unbelievable. 'You just need to try and calm yourself down. I came on a 3-0 up, so it was a good time to come on. I just wanted to go and perform. 'I came out the blocks at 100mph. I was bursting with pride to just get on the pitch, finally, for my national team.' Doig's mum and dad missed his big afternoon with Steve Clarke's squad and had to watch the action unfold from their holiday resort but he has promised them his first shirt. He said: 'They are in Ibiza. They were at the Iceland game at Hampden and they already had the holidays booked. 'They didn't know if I would play or not and as I say they had this holiday booked. 'They were all watching it on television. My sister was there, everyone, so I am absolutely delighted. 'So they were celebrating on Monday night in Ibiza. I texted my mum and dad right after the game and they were delighted for me.' Doig's first international appearance caps off what has been a top season, having helped Sassuolo to the title and back into Serie A next season. The former Verona player said: 'It's been mad with the obvious ups and downs but to get promoted at the end of it and obviously to get capped now, it's just been such a good season for myself. 'As I have said, it's my first trophy that I have won with a team, so that's a first, and then obviously I have come here and got my first Scotland cap. 'I'm just bursting with pride to get it all done and obviously now I need to focus on next season. 'I am looking forward to going back to Sassuolo after our promotion back to Serie A. 'Doing well there next season will hopefully keep me in the Scotland squad. 'There are three camps to go this year so I obviously want to push to try and get in.'
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Russell Martin needs to build Rangers revolution around Ibrox 'work horse' who is the exact type he will want in his side
Nico Raskin has been making waves with the superstars of Belgium and Kyle Lafferty says he is a must keep in Govan He's now mixing it with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku for Belgium. And that's got Rangers fans wondering whether it might be a good time to cash in on Nico Raskin. That will be up to new gaffer Russell Martin and the Ibrox hierarchy should big bids come in for the 24-year-old midfielder this summer. But former Gers striker Kyle Lafferty is having none of it. Instead of selling off their prized asset, the Northern Irishman says Martin should be building a new-look side around him. Lafferty spent three years with the Rangers manager at Norwich City where Martin was skipper. And if he's got one piece of advice to his ex-team-mate, it's to do everything in his power to keep Raskin in Glasgow. Lafferty is excited about what Martin can achieve at Ibrox if he's given the right tools to work with. He believes that to implement his trademark style of play at Gers, he'll need the Belgian's dynamism in the engine room. Lafferty said: 'Some of the players who are already at Rangers are outstanding and Russell will do well to hold on to them. 'Raskin falls into that category. For me, he's one of the best players in the Scottish Premiership so keeping him is a must - especially the way Russ wants to play. 'We have to keep Raskin at Ibrox but it's going to be hard because of how well he's performed recently. 'There will be teams in for him after making his international debut for Belgium. That's been massive for him. 'But Russ should be looking to build the team around him. 'Raskin is a work-horse and exactly the type Russ will want at Rangers. 'The team will press high up the park and Raskin can do that. 'If we keep him and add a few more quality players, it's going to be an exciting season for the club. 'Russ will have to sign players because we don't have the depth of quality in the squad to go and win trophies at the moment. 'But Russ will have a few names already who he wants. 'And if he gets the backing, I think it can be a pretty good season for Rangers.' When Philippe Clement was sacked at Ibrox and the manager's job became available - Lafferty was torn between two men he knows well. He either wanted to get his old gaffer, Steven Gerrard back at Ibrox. Or give Norwich pal Martin a shot at restoring to the club to its former glories. He feels Rangers lost their identity under Clement and is convinced they'll get their DNA back under Martin. Lafferty said: 'I'll be honest, I had my heart set on either getting Steven back - or Russell getting the job. 'What Gerrard did at the club was incredible. From the day he arrived until he left - it was night and day. 'He got us out of the hole we were in and eventually won the title. 'But with Russ, he'll bring new ideas and a freshness. At Southampton, he exceeded expectations. 'I don't think many people thought he'd get them promoted to the Premier League when he took over. And he did it with a clear style of play. 'If the Rangers board backs him, I think we've appointed the right person. 'When Clement arrived he didn't know anything about the Scottish league. I don't think he realised how big Rangers or the fanbase is. 'When that's the case, it affects you - whether you're a player or manager. 'Because you're suddenly hit with this wave of support and expectation. And they might not be able to handle it. 'At Rangers, you need to win every game and get trophies. 'I don't think Clement had a clear game-plan or style of play. That's one of the things Russell will definitely bring. 'He will only be looking for the type of player who can strengthen the club and fit his style. 'Rangers will have a real DNA now under Russ. And he knows what the club means because he's been there as a player. 'The fans' expectations won't affect him because he's felt it before. I think he'll do really well.' Lafferty got close to Martin at Norwich a decade ago along with another former Ibrox star, Steven Whittaker. The new Rangers boss was the Carrow Road captain who led by example. And even when he did things a bit differently, Lafferty admired his humility. That's why he's delighted that he's ended up in charge of his boyhood club. Lafferty said: 'I got on really well with Russ at Norwich. We had a wee tight group, which included the two of us, Whitts and Wes Hoolahan. 'Russ has been a captain at almost every club he's played for. That says it all about his leadership qualities. 'He's a guy who will always look to help you whenever he can. A lot has been said about his Buddhism and other stuff. 'And obviously in a dressing-room there's a lot of banter flying around. 'But at Norwich, if he did something which he thought might affect people, he'd come and apologise. 'He didn't have to but that's just the type of person he is. He's a gentleman. I'm really glad he's now in the hot seat at the club I support.'
