Josip Ilicic and Atalanta provided one of the best nights in UEFA Champions League history for Italian fans by reaching the Quarter final stages of the tournament in their debut season.
In a game that was played behind closed doors, La Dea came from behind against Valencia to earn a fourth straight win in the tournament, while also becoming the first Italian debutant to reach this stage of the tournament, something previously done by Lazio 20 years ago.
Furthermore, they have also cemented their reputation as one of the most exciting teams to watch in the world because of their goalscoring prowess.
Atalanta have played 34 games this season.
— bet365 (@bet365) March 10, 2020
They've scored 2+ in 24 games
They've scored 3+ in 15 games
They've scored 4+ in 9 games
They've scored 5+ in 5 games
They've scored 6+ in 4 games
They've scored 7+ in 3 games #ForzaAtalanta pic.twitter.com/HDaXsqvYnh
The Italian side also matched a feat accomplished by none other than Leicester City three years ago, when they made it to this stage of the tournament in their debut season.
But even if that is quite a feat for any team, striker Josip Ilicic has also earned a spot for himself in UEFA Champions League history.
Atalanta's Josip Ilicic overtakes Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the oldest player to score four goals in a UCL match pic.twitter.com/HgIABQ801h
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 10, 2020
Atalanta have now scored as many goals against Valencia across two legs as they managed in the entire group stage of this season's UCL (8).
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 10, 2020
They have Josip Iličić to thank for half of those. pic.twitter.com/joAzb4epDu
And yes...you have to talk about Ilicic's historic night by comparing it to Lionel Messi...
Ilicic has scored more knockouts away goals in one match than Messi has in the last 4 years
— Depressed because of Juventus (@Inzaghismo) March 10, 2020
But perhaps the greatest gesture by Atalanta came right after the game, when they found a way to greet all their fans at home during such a difficult time due to the coronavirus epidemic in Italy.
"Bergamo, this is for you!"
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 10, 2020
The Atalanta players celebrate with a message of support for their city after reaching the Champions League quarter-finals pic.twitter.com/ZLUDDb7EPJ
The blue and black side will have to wait until March 20 to find out the name of their rivals in the next round, but for now, it's celebration time for Gasperini's men.
