The bookmakers’ favorite, Arsenal, started more determinedly last night Champions League first match of the season, but ran into a team set very well on the pitch by the maestro Gasperini. After the first 20 minutes, Atalanta regained possession, settled down and diligently looked for a way to the goal, passing a lot and well, but ineffectively on the scoreboard.
Only after the break, in the 51st minute, did the stands raise the decibel level to the maximum. “Liberi di sognare”, the message of the Italian fans in the opening choreography, seems to take shape after the London midfielder Thomas Partey fouls the Brazilian Ederson in the box. Turpin shows penalty and his decision is confirmed by the video review room. Meanwhile, David Raya – the goalkeeper of the Londoners – runs for instructions to Inaki Cana (the goalkeeping coach on Arteta’s staff).
Mateo Retegui confiscates the ball, looks at it from all angles, spins it a bit, kisses it, then places it at 11 meters point. Whatever Cana said to Raya, he said well. Retegui shot, the goalkeeper guessed the corner. The gods gave Retegui another chance, but the ball turned on his forehead made Raya even bigger as he made a second superb save to save Arsenal from defeat.
Then the game settled down and no one wanted to take any chances. Except for a few shots that brought the home fans to their feet, nothing notable happened. 0-0 score, 2-2 shots on goal, 50/50 possession, a fair draw.
