Atalanta's Genius 'Moving Wall' Free-Kick Routine Against Real Madrid Worked Brilliantly

Atalanta scored with a genius free-kick routine against Real Madrid in tonight's Champions League round of 16 second leg.

Though the Serie A outfit lost the tie and were unable to reach the quarter finals for the second consecutive season, they left fans in awe with their special set-piece.

Luis Muriel curled in a stunning effort past Thibaut Courtois seven minutes from the time but it wasn't merely just a beautiful strike from distance that did the trick.

Atalanta created a wall of their own that moved forwards as soon as Muriel paced to hit the ball, causing a slight bit of confusion for Real's wall and allowing that all-important space for their No.9 to find.

The Colombian striker duly did that by picking out the top corner but the whole drill was a thing of beauty. You can't help but appreciate the outside of the box thinking.

Atalanta hoped that the goal could ignite a late comeback but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation as Real made it 4-1 on aggregate a minute later when Marco Asensio found the net.

They were left fuming at the end of the first-half when the referee blew the whistle for half-time just as Muriel had been fed in behind in a dangerous situation.

Topics: Football, Atalanta, Champions League, Real Madrid

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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