Atalanta secured a commanding 3-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in their second Champions League group stage match at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The Italians, led by an inspired performance from Ademola Lookman, were in control from start to finish, collecting four points from their first two fixtures after an earlier draw with Arsenal.
Lookman Sparks Atalanta’s Dominance
Atalanta’s attacking intent was clear, with Ademola Lookman playing a pivotal role in orchestrating their offense. The former Charlton and Everton winger was a constant threat down the left flank, combining pace and creativity to unsettle Shakhtar’s defense. It was Lookman’s inventive play that led to the game’s opening goal in the 21st minute, as he delivered a beautifully curled cross from the left, which was deftly flicked into the net by Albania captain Berat Djimsiti. Djimsiti’s near-post header caught the Shakhtar defense flat-footed, giving Atalanta a deserved lead.
Lookman had already showcased his menace minutes earlier when he rattled the Shakhtar crossbar with a thunderous strike. His quick feet and ability to glide past defenders posed constant problems for the Ukrainian side, who were struggling to cope with his pace and directness.
Doubling the Advantage Before Half-Time
Atalanta’s dominance grew as the match progressed, and their attacking fluidity continued to overwhelm Shakhtar. Just before the interval, Lookman found himself on the scoresheet with a well-taken goal that doubled Atalanta’s lead. Sead Kolasinac, surging forward from defense, provided the assist with a perfectly weighted pass that found Lookman in space inside the box. The forward kept his composure and slotted a placed effort into the bottom corner, giving Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk no chance.
Lookman’s clinical finish capped off an outstanding first half for Atalanta, who went into the break with a 2-0 advantage and full control of the match. The goal also highlighted Lookman’s versatility, as he was able to drift inside from his wide position and finish with aplomb, showing the sharpness that has made him one of Atalanta’s most dangerous players.
Bellanova Seals the Win Early in the Second Half
Any hopes Shakhtar had of mounting a second-half comeback were quickly extinguished just minutes after the restart. In the 48th minute, Atalanta extended their lead to 3-0, effectively putting the game beyond Shakhtar’s reach. Raoul Bellanova, the young Italian full-back, pounced on hesitant defending from Shakhtar to head home a perfectly flighted cross from Davide Zappacosta. Bellanova’s header at the back post was the result of Atalanta’s relentless pressure and efficient use of width, as Zappacosta’s delivery found him unmarked to score his first goal of the campaign.
With the third goal, Atalanta’s victory was all but confirmed, and the team continued to control the tempo and flow of the game, dictating possession and nullifying any Shakhtar attempts to break forward. Gasperini’s side, well-organized defensively, kept Shakhtar’s attackers at bay, ensuring that the Ukrainian team struggled to mount any significant offensive threat.
Shakhtar’s Struggles Continue
Shakhtar Donetsk, playing their home matches at Schalke’s ground due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, found it difficult to break down a disciplined Atalanta defense. Despite the best efforts of their midfield and attacking players, they failed to create any meaningful opportunities that could trouble Atalanta’s goalkeeper, Marco Sportiello.
One of Shakhtar’s best chances came just before half-time when a quick counter-attack saw them nearly pull a goal back. However, a low shot from Danylo Sikan was comfortably saved by Sportiello, highlighting the limited offensive threat they posed throughout the match.
With just one point from two games following a draw in their opening fixture, Shakhtar find themselves in a challenging position in the group stage. Their inability to generate attacking momentum against stronger opposition like Atalanta leaves them with plenty of work to do if they hope to advance in the competition.
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