Chemsdine Talbi scored twice and Ferran Jutgla scored once. Simone Mignolet saved a penalty. But it was Ardon Jashari who was named man of the match between Atalanta and Club Brugge. Belgian champions Brugge won 3-1 on Tuesday night in Bergamo, Italy, and eliminated Atalanta in the Champions League knockout stage with a score of 5-2.
The 22-year-old midfielder was named man of the match by UEFA experts. The Switzerland international completed the match with a 79 percent pass accuracy. He reached a top speed of 31.5 kilometers per hour and ran a full 12,1 kilometers during the match.
"He was the engine of the team," UEFA experts praised. "He was everywhere defensively and provided crucial runs in attack. He was heavily involved in two of Brugge's goals."
Ardon Jashari left Swiss side Lucerne last summer to join Club Brugge. He struggled at first, but quickly found his form and became indispensable at the Belgian club. He signed a new contract a week ago, but the chances of him staying in Belgium for the next season are diminishing. Top European teams are already keen on the Albanian midfielder's services. A new transfer in the summer transfer window is very likely.
Italy is a possible destination for Jashari. Top teams in the country are already following him. After his brilliant performance against Atalanta, the number of interested teams will only increase.
Jashari said he was happy about the MVP trophy, but he remained modest.
"In fact, this trophy could have been given to many players on our team. We performed very well together. It really wasn't easy, we were under pressure. It's really a dream come true for me to win this, but it's a trophy for the whole team. I don't worry about who we play against in the next round, I haven't thought about that yet. If we continue to play at this high level, then anything is possible," Jashari told Club Brugge's official website.
In Switzerland, Jashari's performance has been followed with great attention. He is considered the future of the national team. The moment of the second goal, when Jashari was excellent against the Atalanta defenders, was especially highlighted.
"It was a sensational first half from Jashari. That moment is marked with letters that stand out in the notebooks of scouts of major clubs. I'm sure of it. He's playing a great game," said former Switzerland striker Marco Streller after the first half of the match.
The well-known television personality in Switzerland, Marcel Rief, has also spoken in superlatives about Jashari.
"It was sensational. He plays with incredible confidence."
Swiss television SRF wrote that with his performance against Atalanta, Jashari has further increased his value on the international market.
In the league stage, Atalanta was ninth, the first team not to advance directly to the round of 24. Brugge finished in XNUMXth place, the last, which ensured advancement to the knockout stage. Consequently, Atalanta was the big favorite, but the Belgian team with Jashari as the "engine" made a big surprise.
