BERGAMO, Italy — Chemsdine Talbi impressed many spectators recently with his exceptional dribbling skills, accurate crosses, and robust performances in both offensive battles and defensive recoveries. This Belgian-Moroccan talent also provided a crucial assist to Ferran Jutglà during a standout game that led Club Brugge to a 2-1 victory over Atalanta in the initial leg of their Champions League qualifying round.
The 19-year-old midfielder once again showcased his abilities on Tuesday in Bergamo. In a dominating performance, he shifted from a playmaker to a goal-scorer, netting two goals in a comprehensive 3-1 victory. This result allowed Brugge to secure a place in the round of 16 of the prestigious European tournament with a 5-2 aggregate win against the reigning Europa League champions. Remarkably, the Belgian club had entered the league phase in a lowly 24th position, which was the last qualifying spot.
Talbi’s impact was immediate as he marked the game’s opening goal within just three minutes. He finished a swift attacking move that began with Hans Vanaken setting up Jutglà, who then supplied Talbi with the ball on his right inside the penalty area, allowing Talbi to find the net in the far corner.
The match continued to highlight Talbi’s burgeoning talent as he extended his team’s lead in the 27th minute, capitalizing on a rebound after a quick reaction save from Atalanta’s goalkeeper, Marco Carnesecchi. Shortly before halftime, Jutglà scored the third goal for Brugge with a powerful strike, putting them in a commanding position.
Atalanta managed to respond at the start of the second half, with Ademola Lookman scoring in the 46th minute. The Italian side pushed hard, generating 89 attacks and attempting 28 shots, yet they squandered a significant chance to narrow the scoreline when Lookman had his penalty saved by Brugge’s goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet, with 29 minutes remaining.
Frustration boiled over for Atalanta captain Rafael Toloi in the match’s dying moments when he was sent off with a red card after aggressively pursuing and colliding with Maxim De Cuyper.
A fast and skilled player, Talbi hails from Molenbeek and received his early training in Tubize-Braine. He joined Brugge’s youth setup in 2015 and made his U23 debut three years ago before earning a spot on the senior team in 2023. So far this season, he has made a significant impact in the Belgian league with five goals and two assists for Brugge, demonstrating his growing prominence in the sport.
