European Poker League - Atalanta's Elimination: Hapoel Haifa Falls 4-1, Qualification Proceeds

Atalanta Secures Comfortable Lead in Europa League Qualifier Against Hapoel Haifa

Italian football club Atalanta has taken a commanding 4-1 lead in the first leg of their Europa League qualifier against Israeli side Hapoel Haifa.

The match, played away for Atalanta, saw an early setback for the Italian team as Hapoel Haifa's Buzaglo scored in the 7th minute. However, Atalanta quickly responded, equalizing through Hateboer in the 19th minute.

Gasperini's team then took control of the game, with Pasalic finding the net in the 20th minute and Barrow extending their lead to 3-1 in the 40th minute. New signing Zapata added another goal two minutes later, securing a 4-1 advantage for Atalanta at the end of the first leg.

Substitutions were made on both sides, with Atalanta's Pessina being replaced by Pasalic in the 60th minute and Zapata being replaced by Barrow in the 63rd minute. Atalanta also made a late substitution, replacing Gomez with Cornelius in the 83rd minute.

Hapoel Haifa's coach, Klinger, made several substitutions during the second half, bringing on Hadida and Arel. The coach of Atalanta during the first half of the qualification is not explicitly named in the search results provided.

The return leg will take place in seven days in Reggio Emilia, where Atalanta will aim to maintain their lead and secure their qualification for the Europa League playoffs, which now appears virtually assured.

Atalanta's starting lineup for the return leg included Gollini, Toloi, Palomino, Masiello, Hateboer, de Roon, Freuler, Gosens, Pessina, Zapata, Gomez. The coach for Atalanta in the return leg is Gasperini.

Hapoel Haifa's starting lineup for the first leg was (4-3-3): Setkus, Malul, Tamas, Kapiloto, Dilmoni, Ginsari, Sjostedt, Plakushchenko, Vermouth, Papazoglou, Buzaglo.

European Poker League - Atalanta's Elimination: Hapoel Haifa Falls 4-1, Qualification Proceeds