Champions League

Club Brugge v Atalanta Bergamo – 6.45pm

It looked like a draw for a long time, but in the end the men from Bruges were victorious ...(Bild: APA/AFPs)

ÖFB defender Stefan Posch and his new club Atalanta Bergamo must fear for their place in the Champions League round of 16!

The Europa League winners were beaten 2-1 (1-1) by Belgian champions Club Brugge in the first leg of the play-off on Wednesday after conceding a late penalty. Posch played until the 71st minute in his first Champions League game for "La Dea", but did not play flawlessly. The second leg will take place next Tuesday in Bergamo.

Brugge's opening goal was preceded by a weak pass from Isak Hien to Posch, which was intercepted by Chemsdine Talbi and then set up Ferran Jutgla (15'). Posch had also not behaved ideally with the pass, instead moving away from the ball.

Posch switched to the right midway through the first half
The Styrian, on loan from league rivals Bologna only ten days ago with an option to buy, started his third competitive game for Atalanta in an unfamiliar position on the half-left of the back three, but switched to his usual right flank midway through the first half.

Mario Pasalic equalized with a header shortly before the break (41'). The third-placed team in the Italian Serie A was closer to scoring the winner in the second half. However, it came from a controversial penalty at the other end, which substitute Gustaf Nilsson converted (94'). Hien had hit Nilsson in the face with his hand in a tackle in the penalty area.