Greek winger Christos Tzolis grabbed a late equaliser for Club Brugge as Atletico Madrid twice let the lead slip in a 3-3 Champions League play-off first leg draw on Wednesday.
Diego Simeone’s side went 2-0 up in the first half but Brugge fought back to 2-2, and after an own goal allowed the Spanish side to move back in front, Tzolis had the last word in Belgium.
Atletico, who have never won the Champions League, are a long way off the pace in La Liga and consider their best chances of silverware this season to be via a cup route.
However, their poor defending left everything to play for next Tuesday in the second leg, with a last 16 berth at stake.
“We were two up and didn’t know how to hold on to the lead,” Atletico captain Koke told Movistar.
“It was a rollercoaster, like it’s been all season. We have to concentrate more.”
Simeone admitted it was a tricky night against a side that drew 3-3 against Barcelona in the league phase.
“It was a game against possibly the most intense team in the Champions League,” said Simeone.
“The context of the game says that it was a fair draw… we’ve got the second leg at home and we hope to play a great game.”
Atletico took an early lead through a Julian Alvarez penalty after a careless handball by Joaquin Seys.
The striker, whose spot-kick against city rivals Real Madrid in last year’s competition was disallowed for a double touch, leading to Atletico’s elimination, dispatched it emphatically.
Brugge otherwise had the better of the first half, with Mamadou Diakhon whipping an effort narrowly wide, and Jan Oblak saving from Raphael Onyedika.
But the Belgians found themselves two down at the break.
Ademola Lookman, who has impressed since arriving in January, finished from close range after Antoine Griezmann flicked on Alvarez’s corner.
Brugge halved Atletico’s lead in the 52nd minute when Onyedika tapped home after a superb Oblak save to keep out Nicolo Tresoldi’s header.
Brugge striker Tresoldi was soon on the scoresheet himself to pull the Belgian side level on the hour mark, to the delight of the Jan Breydel stadium, finishing clinically from Diakhon’s cross.
Atletico striker Alexander Sorloth nodded narrowly wide before Joel Ordonez put through his own net to give the visitors the lead again.
However, in the 89th minute, Brugge struck again, with Tzolis played in down the left and finishing well. The goal was initially ruled out for offside but the decision was corrected after a VAR review.
“It was a very interesting game with different phases,” said Brugge coach Ivan Leko.
“Two-nil down against a very strong team… we were in a difficult situation but the team showed great character and quality in our play…
“Atleti will be big favourites but we can play football and we’ll do all we can to progress.”