Atalanta delivered a commanding performance in the Champions League, defeating Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 in a game that mirrored their win from December 2019.
With a brilliant first-half display, the Italian side secured three goals and three points, continuing their unbeaten run in this season’s Champions League campaign.
From the very start of the match, Atalanta looked in control. The first goal came in the 21st minute when Berat Djimsiti broke the deadlock with a perfectly timed finish following a cross from Ademola Lookman.
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The visitors were relentless in their attack, and before halftime, Lookman doubled their lead with a well-placed strike into the back of the net.
Atalanta’s dominance didn’t stop there. Raoul Bellanova sealed the victory early in the second half with a header that left the Shakhtar defense scrambling.
Atalanta’s xG (expected goals) of 2.70 reflected their attacking prowess, while Shakhtar struggled to get a shot on target, ending the game with a low xG of 0.28.
Shakhtar Donetsk found it difficult to break through opponent’s solid defense throughout the match. Despite completing 86.8% of their passes in the second half, the hosts couldn’t muster a single shot on target in the entire 94 minutes of play.
Shakhtar’s inability to create clear chances was a testament to Atalanta’s well-organized defense and their goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi’s command of the box.
Even though Shakhtar had several attempts in the second half, none of them troubled opponent’s backline. The Italian side’s defense played with great discipline, clearing every threat and maintaining their clean sheet.
Ademola Lookman was undoubtedly one of the standout players of the match. Not only did he assist Djimsiti’s opening goal, but he also scored Atalanta’s second just before halftime.
Lookman’s attacking movement and ability to exploit spaces in Shakhtar’s defense made him a constant threat throughout the game.
Their control of the match extended into the second half, where they continued to dominate. Bellanova’s goal just three minutes into the second half put the game beyond Shakhtar’s reach.
The Italian side continued to press forward, and despite several efforts from Shakhtar, including a shot off the bar, Atalanta’s defense held firm.
With 17 shots in total and an xG of 2.70, Atalanta’s attacking threat was clear. Shakhtar, on the other hand, only managed a handful of attempts, with none of their efforts truly testing Carnesecchi.
For those betting on over/under markets, Atalanta’s attacking display made the over market a likely outcome, and Jambobet offers excellent odds on such markets.
