How Nicky Hayen Tactics Took Club Brugge Past Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta In Champions League 2024/2025 – Tactical Analysis

The UEFA Champions League provided another fascinating matchday, with three huge Italian sides crashing out in the Round of 32.

Whilst each of Milan, Atalanta and Juventus all lost to relative underdogs, Gian Piero Gasperini was left perplexed as the reigning Europa League champions were dismantled at the hands of Nicky Hayen’s Club Brugge.

Brugge were the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, but managed to effectively nullify Atalanta’s key threats whilst also displaying their own talents in transition.

A whirlwind of emotions, both on and off the pitch, has recently come to the forefront for Atalanta, who are now out of all domestic and European cup competitions thanks to a poor run of form.

Club Brugge’s 5-2 aggregate victory seemed all too comfortable, with Hayen’s team seemingly able to stroll into Bergamo and snatch an early 3-0 lead.

The introduction of Ademola Lookman seemed to inject an element of life into Atalanta’s attacking fortunes.

Still, Club Brugge and the heroics of former Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet stifled any further danger as the second half went on.

Our tactical analysis will begin to identify the key elements of the match which allowed Club Brugge to find so much comfort against a usually suffocating Gasperini tactics.

Atalanta Vs Club Brugge Lineups & Formations

Gian Piero Gasperini had the task of overturning a 2-1 aggregate lead for Club Brugge when returning to Bergamo for the second leg, with the iconic Italian manager opting for a 3-4-1-2 formation to suit his unique tactical principles.

Marco Carnesecchi took the starting berth in goal after a penalty save, which spared their blushes over the weekend.