Atalanta caused a huge upset as they defeated Liverpool at Anfield 0-3 to put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the semi final of the UEFA Europa league
Gianpiero Gasparini side came to the match as underdogs after an underwhelming campaign in the Italian league.
It was the Italian side that got the first real chance of the game as Mario Pasalic saw his shot saved by the Liverpool Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher who repealed Croatia’s effort.
The Reds woke up from their slumber minutes later as Harvey Elliott, who was culpable for giving the ball away, did really well to curl his goal but it came off the Atalanta goal post.
Atalanta Close In On UEFA Europa League Semi-finals
The Italian side to their credit were not baffled by the Kop and their supporters as they began to show their quality.
David Zappacosta found space down the left hand side before firing a shot that squeezed underneath Kelleher which was then turned home by Scamacca to give Gasparini men a 0-1 lead.
The shot stopper came to their rescue before the halftime whistle as he was alert to stop a good chance from Teun Koopmeiners.
Jurgen Klopp rang the changes at the start of the second half as Liverpool top scorer Mohammed Salah almost repaid his managers faith when his well struck Volley was beaten to safety by Juan Musso.
Atalanta would take full advantage of their next chance as former West Ham striker Scamacca powered home Charles De Ketelaere’s cross past Caoimhin Kelleher to double his side’s advantage on the night.
That didn’t spark Liverpool to life as they were dreadful on the night, just to say the least.
Such was their luck on the night as Salah saw his goal rightly ruled out by the linesman after some neat passage of play from the Reds.
Atalanta added a third late on as the impressive Mario Pasalic tapped home from close range following Kelleher’s initial save.
Taking a three goal lead back to the Bergamo for the return leg, this defeat throws spanner in the works of Jurgen Klopp who is in his swansong season as the Reds stare at elimination from the UEFA Europa league.
Benfica 2-1 Olympique Marseille
Meanwhile, Benfica edged out French giant Marseille 2-1 in the first leg of the UEFA Europa league as Roger Schmidt side look to book a European Semi final berth for the first time since 2014.
Both sides have been somewhat shambolic in their respective leagues but the UEFA Europa league as seen them play their best football.
The French side squeezed past 2021 UEFA Europa league winners in the last round but started the encounter on a bad foot as Rafa Silva fired Benfica in front with the first shot of the match.
Quintin Merlin was stretched off for Marseille at the start of the second half as they looked to get back into the game. The visitors struggled to create any clear cut chances as Roger Schmidt’s side controlled the game.
Angel Di Maria, a man for the big occasion, turned up in style once again on the biggest of stages as he doubled his side’s lead, scoring a beautiful goal after a Neat cut back by David Neres.
Marseille took initiative after going two goals down as they came out of their shell to attack the Portuguese outfit but Roger Schmidt’s men did well to repel the Ligue 1 side.
Former Arsenal and Barcelona forward Aubameyang did pull a goal for his side as they rallied quick to get the equalizer.
Benfica did hold on for all three point to maintain their unbeaten record at home in the UEFA Europa league which stands at (23 win and 6 draw).
