Video: Atalanta furious at ridiculous penalty call for Club Brugge
The Belgians had a very strong start and took a deserved lead through Ferran Jutglà, which was cancelled out by a Mario Pasalic looping header.
With the match looking as if it would end in a stalemate and continue Atalanta's unbeaten away record in the Champions League this season, they were incredulous at the referee awarding a penalty.
The controversial penalty awarded to Club Brugge in the 91st minute 😬
The Atalanta players are fuming with the referee 😡
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/GpBydqZnB0
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2025
Turkish official Umut Meler made the call himself with no help from the assistant referee, who had a much better view of the situation when Isak Hien got to the through ball before Gustaf Nilsson.
See how the game unfolded on the Liveblog.
Hien was stunned to see the penalty call for an arm that grazed the striker's nose when the ball was clearly under his control.
Umut Meler went on to book both Hien and then Juan Cuadrado for dissent, with tension that continued after Nilsson converted, as Gian Piero Gasperini stormed off down the tunnel aiming choice words towards the officials.
It sealed the 2-1 result, so Atalanta must win the second leg in Bergamo next Tuesday by two clear goals to reach the Round of 16.
VAR could not realistically intervene, as they can only do so for a 'clear and obvious error' – so because there was some contact, no matter how minimal, it was not really going to be overturned.
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