Atalanta 0-2 RB Leipzig (agg 1-3): Nkunku sends Bundesliga side through to Europa League semis

Christopher Nkunku scored twice in Bergamo as RB Leipzig’s 2-0 win over Atalanta carried the in-form Bundesliga side through to the Europa League semi-finals.

The France striker was on hand to tuck home an early chance, a predator’s goal, and his late penalty sealed a 3-1 aggregate triumph, raising the possibility of Leipzig lifting a first European trophy in their history.

Head coach Domenico Tedesco has transformed Leipzig’s fortunes since replacing Jesse Marsch in December and the German visitors had too much for their Italian hosts here.

After seven goals in the Champions League this season, Nkunku now has three in this competition. Two years after a Champions League semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, the German outfit are back at the business end of a European campaign.

Atalanta’s Davide Zappacosta drew a decent early save from Leipzig captain Peter Gulacsi, who got down well to block a low shot at his near post.

Leipzig then took the all-important 18th-minute lead when Konrad Laimer was allowed to run 50 yards unchallenged along the right flank and into the Atalanta penalty area, before cutting back for Nkunku to smash in off the right post from close range.

Dani Olmo had a chip comfortably caught by Juan Musso as Leipzig sought a second goal, while at the other end a low shot from Jeremie Boga was blocked.

Atalanta wanted a penalty early in the second half when Ruslan Malinovskiy’s powerful free-kick hit Olmo on the arm, and it looked a credible shout, yet the hosts were denied after a VAR review.

Laimer almost added a second for Leipzig when a rapid counter-attack ended with Musso seemingly making a mess of reading his defenders’ intentions, having to scramble to keep the lead down to one goal.

Nkunku was sharp for Leipzig and wriggled through to create a chance for himself as Musso blocked at the cost of a corner. As Atalanta became increasingly desperate, a foul by Musso on Nkunku gave the striker a chance to finish the tie, which he took by firing high into the left corner.

What does it mean?

Atalanta must have been starting to feel invincible in Europe at their Gewiss Stadium home, given they had not previously lost at home in 11 previous UEFA Cup or Europa League matches, including a 3-2 win over Leipzig’s Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 this season.

Here they were caught out by a Leipzig side who posed such menace on the break and played with the confidence befitting a team who have lost only once in 2022. Unlike the side that got the better of them on domestic duty in February – Bayern Munich – this German outfit could well end the season with a European trophy.

Leipzig get their reward

Atalanta have lost their last two Serie A games, sliding to eighth as a consequence, and they lacked the verve of recent incarnations of this team.

They saw plenty of the ball, with 61.7 per cent of possession in the second half, but struggled to create notable chances. Although they led the shot count 16-11, only three of those attempts found the target and half were taken from outside the penalty area. Leipzig had 11 shots, seven hitting the target, and only three were from beyond the 18-yard box. Leipzig led the way in terms of expected goals, by 2.12 to 1.37, reflecting their better chances.

Nkunku makes the difference

It pays to have a finisher like Nkunku, which is why France boss Didier Deschamps called up the 24-year-old and gave him his first two caps for Les Bleus in March. Perhaps he will be a factor in the World Cup at the end of the year too.

Tedesco is the fortunate club coach to have Nkunku in his ranks, and from his three shots on Thursday the striker found the target each time. He perhaps struck a little lucky when his opener rapped the post on its way in, but Nkunku’s remarkable haul in Europe this season speaks volumes of his blossoming ability.

What’s next?

Leipzig were waiting to learn their semi-final opponents, with Braga and Rangers duking it out for the right. Next for Leipzig in the Bundesliga is a clash with Leverkusen on Sunday, while Atalanta return to Serie A duty against Hellas Verona on Monday.