Atalanta stormed into the UEFA Champions League knockout stages with a dominant 5-0 win over Sturm Graz at the Gewiss Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The victory, which marked President Antonio Percassi’s 800th match at the helm, secured Atalanta’s spot in the “Round of 16” with one game to spare.
Mateo Retegui opened the scoring in the 12th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Sturm Graz. Mario Pašalić doubled the lead in the 58th minute, before Charles De Ketelaere made it 3-0 in the 63rd minute.
Ademola Lookman, who replaced Retegui at halftime, impressed throughout the second half and capped his performance with a powerful header in the 90th minute.
Marco Brescianini completed the rout in stoppage time with a stunning long-range strike.
The result lifted Atalanta to 14 points from seven matches, securing their progression to the next round.
Sturm Graz, meanwhile, exited the competition, languishing in 31st place with just three points.
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini praised his team’s performance for the great performance
“This result is a testament to our hard work, determination, and belief. Securing qualification with a game to spare is no small feat, and I’m proud of how the players executed tonight.”
The victory cements Atalanta’s status among Europe’s elite and adds another glorious chapter to their European campaign under Percassi’s leadership. With one group match remaining, the Nerazzurri are well-poised for a deep run in the competition.
