Atalanta Bergamo pulled off an incredible comeback in the Champions League play-off stage, defeating Borussia Dortmund 4:1 and overturning a two-goal deficit from the first match. The match in Bergamo was filled with brutal fouls, red cards, and refereeing controversies. The decisive goal came in the 98th minute from a penalty kick, and Polish wing-back Nicola Zalewski became one of the heroes of the Italian team, celebrating a sensational advance to the round of 16 at the expense of the German giant.

Atalanta's Sensational Advancement

The Italian team overturned the deficit from the first leg and, thanks to a 4:1 victory, eliminated the favored Borussia Dortmund.

Brutality and the Krstović Incident

Ramy Bensebaini committed a drastic foul on an opponent, which led to a head injury for the Atalanta player and a red card.

Zalewski Among the Heroes

The Polish footballer received very high ratings from Italian journalists for his active involvement in the team's offensive plays.

Controversy Surrounding the Penalty

The decisive goal came in the 98th minute of play after a VAR intervention, which sparked fury in the German camp.

The Champions League knockout stage return leg in Bergamo will go down in history as one of the most brutal and thrilling spectacles of the season. Atalanta, written off after the first leg, dominated Borussia Dortmund, ultimately winning 4:1. The German team, which had a two-goal advantage from Dortmund, completely lost its composure under the pressure from the hosts. The match was characterized by unprecedented aggression, and referee José María Sánchez Martínez was forced to repeatedly reach for individual sanctions, including sending-offs. One of the most shocking moments of the match was the incident involving Ramy Bensebaini. The Algerian committed an extremely drastic foul on Mario Pasalic, kicking him in the head and causing serious injuries, for which he received a red card. This act of brutality not only weakened Borussia but became a symbol of the complete breakdown of discipline in the visitors' ranks. Meanwhile, for Atalanta, Nicola Zalewski played an excellent match, his dynamic runs repeatedly tearing apart the BVB defense. The Pole was involved in key plays, and the Italian media rated his performance as a breakthrough. Atalanta Bergamo, under the guidance of Gian Piero Gasperini, has long been considered one of the most exciting teams in Europe, crowned by winning the Europa League trophy in May 2024. Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, is the 2024 Champions League finalist, which after that success has been struggling with a lack of form stability.The fate of the qualification was decided in added time. After an intervention by the VAR system, the referee awarded a penalty to Atalanta in the 98th minute of the clash. Lazar Samardžić kept his cool and with a confident shot beat Gregor Kobel, sparking euphoria in the stands of the Stadio di Bergamo. For Borussia, this result means a catastrophic end to their European cup adventure and a significant financial blow, while "La Dea" continues its incredible run on the international stage. „Fue una decisión difícil, pero el sistema VAR mostró claramente el contacto en el área que no podía ser ignorado.” (It was a difficult decision, but the VAR system clearly showed the contact in the area that could not be ignored.) — José María Sánchez Martínez Off the pitch, media reported tensions between the managements of both clubs. Borussia Dortmund accused the Italian side of improper treatment of its fans and officials, leading to the cancellation of traditional protocol meals. Sportingly, however, the Italians proved indisputably better, presenting courageous and effective football until the referee's final whistle.

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