Italian club Atalanta bowed out of the Champions League in dramatic fashion on Wednesday night – and some Chelsea fans on Twitter hailed one of their star men Mario Pasalic for his impressive performance.
Pasalic, 25, previously spent two years on loan with Atalanta from Chelsea, with that deal made permanent in June a couple of months ago.
The attacking midfielder has found a settled home with the Serie A club after a string of loan spells away from Stamford Bridge and he didn’t make a single appearance for Chelsea despite signing back in 2014 for them.
(Photo by Rafael Marchante/Pool via Getty Images)
Despite the Blues being knocked out of the Champions League last 16 by Bayern Munich last weekend, the competition continued in midweek with the quarter-finals as Atalanta faced strong favourites Paris Saint-Germain.
Pasalic gave Atalanta a surprise lead in the first-half with a cultured left-footed finish, but PSG scored two goals in stoppage time to turn the game on its head and progress to the semi-finals of the competition.
The Croatian playmaker has finished the 2019/20 campaign with great figures of 12 goals and seven assists for Atalanta across all competitions.
(Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
A selection of Chelsea supporters on social media were left waxing lyrical about a player that was previously on the club’s books.
Here are some Blues fans discussing Pasalic’s display:
Pasalic you beast
— 🖤💙🇳🇴(FreeHavertz) (@CFC_Theo) August 12, 2020
How did Chelsea not see the talent of pasalic ? I don’t understand this club at times.
— Chelseaista (@Chelseaista_cfc) August 12, 2020
Watching Pašalić today makes me wonder why Chelsea ever even gave him a look in. From the looks of it, he looks strong, has the ability to drive, and can do his defensive job, especially because we were screaming out for a player like this for a number of years
— Thomas Agnew (@CFC_Tomm) August 12, 2020
Pasalic. I’m happy for him. Wish he’d gotten a serious look in #CFC midfield
— KCovington (@kennycovington1) August 12, 2020
Pasalic! Happy for him. Finally found a home and is a key cog for this fantastic team! @Atalanta_BC
— NH (@N_CFC95) August 12, 2020
I’m happy for pasalic. Doing bits for atalanta
— CheekyCFC (@CheekyCFC) August 12, 2020
Pasalic is actually better than Barkley. This isn’t reactionary.
— Cfc Nigeria (@sw6_naija) August 12, 2020