As it happened: Atalanta tear Valencia apart in the first leg (4-1)

I've been Will Laing and that's all from me, thanks for joining me and make sure to follow VAVEL UK for live coverage on all the rest of the Champions League fixtures.

Here's the goal that sent San Siro into hysteria.

The Atalanta fairytale continues!!!

With half the city of Bergamo in the San Siro Remo Freuler puts the home supporters into dreamland 😍

That reverse angle 👌 pic.twitter.com/pYImalsTZZ

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 19, 2020

Check out Ilicic's effort that doubled Atalanta's lead just before half time.

That is a ROCKET from Josip Iličić 😲

In the first ever Champions League knockout match in their history, Atalanta are off to a flying start 👌 pic.twitter.com/d2jWEZq64J

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 19, 2020

With two goals either side of half time, the hosts showed no fear on their Champions League knockout debut.

Ilicic was simply on another level, and as were the rest of his team when going forward.

They have certainly made sure it will be intriguing viewing when the second leg at the Mestalla rolls around in three weeks time.

90+5' Michael Oliver calls time on the first leg.

Atalanta have attacked Valencia into the ground and it has been marvellous.

90+2' We are now halfway through the four minutes of allocated injury time.

88' Gameiro manages to get down the left and put a delivery into the box. It was a dangerous cross but it just skips along past the arriving attackers.

85' It looked destined for the fifth to find the net as Zapata should have gone clean through. The Colombian slowed his run despite having the fresher legs.

He took the ball too wide and the chance had gone.

81' There has been a brief pause in play as Diakhaby is receiving treatment for a head injury.

The defender seems a little shaken up as he makes his way to the edge of the field.

80' Gomez receives a standing ovation as he leaves the field for Malinovskiy.

It has been a superb performance from him.

77' Zapata makes his way on for Caldara.

That's right, another forward on for a centre half.

Atalanta aren't all for conforming to the usual procedures of being 4-1 up in a Champions League tie.

76' Parejo's searching ball into the box is headed clear to Carlos Soler on the edge of the area.

He approaches the ball with intent but his right footed effort flies past the left post.

Another chance bypasses Valencia.

74' Where to start?

First off there was a shout for a handball from Caldara. Instantly after de Roon hacks at the Valencia attacker in an attempt to clear the ball.

VAR have a long look but decide there was no wrong doing.

73' Maxi Gomez makes way for Kevin Gameiro.

Valencia are looking for a way back into this tie.

70' Gomez has a wonderful chance on the end of a Torres cross. He miss kicks it and the ball makes its way back to Cheryshev who can't find a way round Gollini.

That's two brilliant opportunities to give them a real chance in the second leg.

69' Officially Cheryshev came on for Guedes moments ago.

66' I didn't even get chance to see Cheryshev enter the fray and already with his first touch he has got Valencia an away goal to take back to the Mestalla.

It will most likely only be a consolation, but it is something.

65' A momentary moment of hope for Valencia as Hateboer's goal goes upstairs to be checked by Chris Kavanagh's VAR team.

Ilicic is in an offside position but is deemed to have not interfered with play.

The goal stands.

63' Hateboer makes it a fantastic four.

The Dutchman races down the right hand side, beats his man and slams the ball home at the near post.

This is absolute dreamland for the Atalanta fans in Milan.

61' I think they call that commentators curse.

Gollini gifts the ball straight Maxi Gomez in the centre of the box. But the Uruguayan international just pops the ball back into the gloves of the keeper.

60' An hour into this Round of 16 tie and judging by the scoreline and the body language of the Valencia players, this could be over already.

57' Wow! Freuler shows patience as he waits for a gap.

When the moment was right he bends his effort round his captain and into the far post.

The curling shot could only be admired by Doménech in the Valencia goal.

54' Gaya has his shot blocked from about 30-yards from goal. It was a speculative effort but there were just too many bodies between him and the target.

Positive from the away side though.

52' Valencia finally get forward!

Soler made a wonderful run towards the near post.

The Spaniard loses his marker and slides the ball into the nearside netting.

If the midfielder could have flicked the ball on towards the goal that could have easily been game on.

50' Gomez is in acres of space down the left handside for Atalanta, but he fails to make his cross count.

It is definitely a disappointing result but the cross was deflected away for a corner.

49' Hateboer wastes a golden chance to get forward.

Valencia's back line was at sixes and sevens as the ball made its way through to the Dutchman.

He got his legs all tangled up and Mangala was able to deal with the danger.

47' Ilicic manages to whip a ball in to the near post. It appeared harmless as it was blocked upon arrival.

The ball dropped into space however. All it required was a man in blue and black to react the quickest.

46' There have been no changes from either side at the break.

Can there be a change in fortune for the visitors?

46' The hosts get us back underway.

The teams are back in the tunnel ready for the second half.

45+1' Michael Oliver blows his whistle and signals for half time.

Valencia are really struggling here. Is there long list of injuries to blame? Or are Atalanta just handling the pressure in San Siro?

45+1' Atalanta are cruising into half time.

Exchanging passes and working their way through Valencia's defence.

This time it was Ilicic and Frueler linking up. The pair interchange passes all the way into the area, but just couldn't quite get a meaningful shot away.

45' There will be one minute of added time.

42' And just like that Ilicic proves what he can do on nights like this.

The Slovenian buys some time 25-yards from goal and shifts the ball on to his right foot. He swings his foot at it and bends the ball into the far right corner.

Doménech will feel disappointed that het got a fingertip to it and couldn't keep it out.

 

36' A succession of sloppy passes from both sides has created the space for Atalanta to get out.

Former Middlesbrough midfielder Martin de Roon finds himself on the edge of the area with the ball sitting up perfectly.

The Dutchman opts for a half volley that flies safely over Doménech's crossbar.

35' Guedes fires a driven ball towards the back post but there was too much pace on delivery. His cross evades both Maxi Gomez and the arriving Mangala.

33' Daniel Wass is beaten by a wonderful bit of skill by Gomez and is forced to bring him to the ground.

The Dane is penalised by Michael Oliver.

30' Gosens has been hard done by as Michael Oliver gives a free kick for a nudge on Gomez.

It is taken quickly and a delivery into the box finds itself with Guedes on the left hand side. The Portuguese winger heads the ball back across the area, but Palomino produces are an unsure clearance to rid them of the danger.

28' The hosts are taking control of possession again. There is a certain decisiveness about their passing that is looking dangerous.

26' As the game is settling, Valencia are still struggling to create chances.

Parejo is spraying balls over to the right in an attempt to open up Atalanta's defence.

The Italians appear resolute and organised though.

23' San Siro is absolutely rocking and there is no sign  whatsoever that Atalanta will be over awed by this incredible European journey.

21' Ilicic found himself on the edge of the area desperate to get the shot away.

The Slovenian slides the ball out to the left for the arriving Gosens. His strike however ripples the side netting.

19' Maxi Gomez' header is blocked by his own man and cleared effectively by the Atalanta defence.

16' Despite the slow start, their adventurous football pays off!

Gomez slides a ball across Valencia's backline and he picks out Dutch international Hateboer.

It would have been harder to miss but he forced the ball into the left corner.

13' Maxi Gomez is brought down on the right-hand touchline.

This could be a good chance for Valencia.

11' Valencia are yet to produce any meaningful possession in Atalanta's half.

Parejo launched a hopeful ball forward and Gollini was forced to head it away on the edge of his own box.

8' It should have been 1-0. Pasalic gets the perfect opportunity to open the scoring as he is through on goal.

He opts to go with the side foot and gives the keeper a chance to save his effort.

Doménech palmed it away for a corner.

4' Atalanta have themselves a free kick right on the edge of the box. Gomez is brought down by a clumsy challenge from Parejo.

1' Valencia get us underway in Milan.

There has been a last minute change for Atalanta as Djimsiti was injured in the warm up.

🚑 Infortunio nel riscaldamento per Berat #Djimsiti, partirà Mattia #Caldara dal primo minuto.
🚑 Djimsiti suffered an injury during the warm up, Caldara starts. #AtalantaVCF #UCL #GoAtalantaGo ⚫️🔵 https://t.co/XHXNc007g9

— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) February 19, 2020

They're out on the pitch for the Champions League anthem.

This really does feel set up to be one of those special European nights here in Milan.

The atmosphere is ramping up inside San Siro as we get ever closer to kick off.

A staggering one third of Bergamo is in Milan tonight in support of Atalanta on this monumental night.

#AtalantaVCF #goatalantago #ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/waScgFx5sT

— Sauro Legramandi (@Sauro71) February 19, 2020

 

Only 20 minutes to go until kick off now and the Valencia fans are loud and proud in Italy

🔊 Our FANS making themselves heard in San Siro 🎶#AtalantaVCF 🌟#AmuntValencia 🦇 pic.twitter.com/9WJPEkpjlj

— Valencia CF English 🦇💯 (@valenciacf_en) February 19, 2020

🔥 Our XI 🦇 #AtalantaVCF pic.twitter.com/ViUSiRADw3

— Valencia CF English 🦇💯 (@valenciacf_en) February 19, 2020

Substitutes: 2 Correia, 3 Costa, 9 Gameiro, 

11 Cheryshev, 13 Cillessen, 23 Sobrino, 

37 Molina Gutiérrez

Starting XI: 95 Gollini, 2 Toloi, 6 Palomino, 19 Djimsiti, 33 Hateboer, 15 de Roon, 11 Freuler,  8 Gosens, 88 Pasalic, 72 Ilicic, 10 Gómez

Substitutes: 3 Caldara, 5 Tameze, 9 Muriel, 18 Malinovskiy, 21 Castagne, 57 Sportiello, 91 Zapata

 

👊 Scendiamo in campo così!
👇 Here’s your Starting XI to face @valenciacf!#AtalantaVCF #UCL#GoAtalantaGo ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/IZuJN5criq

— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) February 19, 2020

I'll be back around an hour before kick off with updates on team news from both sides.

Unfortunately for the away side, they will be travelling light this week. Eight players from their squad are out due to injury.

Valenica will have to look towards senior heads such as Dani Parejo to take control of the game at San Siro tonight.

The midfield general has provided six goals and six assists so far this season, along with orchestrating play from his central role in the team.

Parejo will be targeting Maxi Gomez in the hope that the Uruguayan can add to his nine goal tally for the campaign.

It will come as no surprise that Atalanta's main danger man tonight will be none other than Josep Iličić.

The Slovenian international has been involved in 21 goals in his 26 appearances in all competitions this season. No doubt he will prove to be a threat tonight.

Despite the San Siro being almost 40 miles away from Atalanta's usual home ground of Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, the 'Goddesses' have made it their own.

The hosts have lost just one of their last six matches at their temporary home in all competitions - albeit they weren't the home side in all six of those fixtures.

In the UEFA Champions League, Valencia have made the visit to Italy on eight occasions, losing five times.

The Spaniards however do have history at the San Siro. In their trips to Italy they have never lost at the historic stadium on this side of the century.

These two have only ever faced each other once. With that being said, they have never faced each other in a competitive match-up.

Back in 2017 these two line up in a friendly in which Atalanta ran out 2-1 victors.

The visitors achievements are perhaps more impressive as they triumphed in Group H. The Spaniards had to over power not only Chelsea but also last year's semi-finalists Ajax.

Along their group stage journey, they beat Ajax in Amsterdam and beat Chelsea by the same 1-0 scoreline at Stamford Bridge.

The hosts tonight are Group C runners-up Atalanta. Despite being pummelled 4-0 and 5-1 in the group stages by Dinamo Zagreb and Manchester City respectively, Atalanta managed to finish a point ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk in their Champions League debut.

Hello and welcome to VAVEL UK's live text commentary of Atalanta vs Valencia CF in the UEFA Champions League. I'm Will Laing and I'll be taking you through tonight's game which is set to kick off at 20:00 GMT.