Champions League | Tonali scores & Ruggeri assists in play-off wins

Sandro Tonali was on the scoresheet today as the Italian midfielder helped Newcastle qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League, as the first batch of play-off matches played out their second legs.

Matteo Ruggeri picked up an assist for Atletico Madrid, helping Los Colchoneros beat Club Brugge 4-1 to qualify for the Champions League round of 16.

“We’ll take ANYONE on”

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Tonali scored within five minutes against Qarabag, as Newcastle breezed to a comfortable 9-3 win on aggregate – and the Azzurri midfielder was named as UEFA’s Player of the Match.

The UEFA Technical Observer Group said: “Tonali retained possession a lot, controlled the centre, made good passes, had lots of energy and scored his goal at an important time.”

Ruggeri, meanwhile, helped Atletico to a 7-4 aggregate victory in the day’s early kick-off.

Pirola out as Tonali & Ruggeri progress in Champions League

24-year-old defender Lorenzo Pirola was also in action, playing ninety minutes as Olympiacos drew 0-0 away at Bayer Leverkusen.

The draw, however, was not enough for Pirola and his Greek side to progress, having lost 2-0 at home in the first leg.

The rest of the Italians in action today were of course playing as Inter crashed out of the Champions League for the earliest time since the group-stage exit in 2020/21.

The Nerazzurri lost 2-1 to Bodo/Glimt at San Siro, losing 5-2 on aggregate. Bastoni, Dimarco, Barella, Frattesi and Pio Esposito were the Azzurri contingent who featured.