Atalanta maintained their strong start in the Champions League with a well-earned victory over Stuttgart. While the Italian team controlled much of the ball in the first half, it was Stuttgart who came closest to scoring. Anthony Rouault missed a header from close range, and Deniz Undav, a former Brighton striker, hit the side netting after breaking through Atalanta’s defense.
Coming off an impressive 3-0 win over Napoli, Atalanta emerged from the break determined to take control. Their efforts paid off when Ademola Lookman found the back of the net, capitalizing on an assist from Charles De Ketelaere, who had just entered the game. De Ketelaere made an immediate impact, beating his marker and delivering a low cross that Lookman converted with ease.
Lookman shines as Stuttgart struggles to respond
Lookman, who notched a hat-trick in last season’s Europa League final, continued his excellent form by scoring his eighth goal in 12 matches across all competitions. Stuttgart had a quick chance to equalize, but Ermedin Demirovic was unable to capitalize, missing from close range after a well-timed cut-back pass.
As Stuttgart increased their attacking intensity in search of an equalizer, Atalanta’s defense held firm. Their resilience paid off when substitute Nicolo Zaniolo sealed the win with a late goal on the counterattack.
Unbeaten in Europe, Atalanta eyes next challenge
This win kept Atalanta’s defensive record in Europe spotless, as they have yet to concede a goal in the competition this season. They moved up to ninth place with eight points from four games, while Stuttgart slipped to 25th with four points.
Looking ahead, Stuttgart will travel to face Crvena Zvezda on matchday five, while Atalanta heads to Switzerland to take on Young Boys. The Italian side will aim to extend their unbeaten streak and continue their strong campaign in Europe.
