Atalanta marked their debut in the knockout stages of the Champions League in style by crushing Valencia 4-1 in the first leg of their last 16 clash in Italy.
Josip Ilicic starred for the Italians who punished their more experienced opponents and gave them a mountain to climb in the second leg at the Mestalla in three weeks' time.
Gian Gasperini's in-form side - who made headlines by firing seven past Torino in January - grabbed the lead in the 16th minute through Hans Hateboer.
And when Ilicic grabbed Atalanta's second from the edge of the box three minutes before the interval it set the hosts up for another memorable evening.
Remo Freuler curled home his side's third in the 58th minute and Hateboer grabbed his second five minutes later, before Valencia substitute Denis Cheryshev gave his side a glimmer of hope.
Atalanta 4–1 Valencia Opta stats
- Atalanta have won three consecutive matches in European competition (excl. qualifiers) for the first time in their history.
- Valencia have played more away Champions League knockout matches without ever winning than any other side in the competition’s history (P10 – D4 L6).
- Valencia have lost three consecutive games against Italian opposition in European competition for the first time since a run of four between November 1990 and March 2000.
- Valencia have conceded 4+ goals in a Champions League game for only the second time, also 1-5 versus Inter in October 2004.
- Atalanta's 12 Champions League goals have been scored by 10 different players. Indeed, Atalanta have had more goalscorers than any other team in the CL this term (excl. own goals).
- Atalanta’s Josip Ilicic has scored 16 goals in all competitions this season – his best return in a single campaign while playing for a side in Europe’s top five leagues.
- Atalanta have scored more goals in all competitions than any other Serie A side this season (76).
- Alejandro Gómez has provided 12 assists in all competitions this season, seven more than any other player for Atalanta.
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