<p>A late goal from Luis Muriel earned Atalanta a 1-0 win at 10-man Ajax Amsterdam on Wednesday and sent the Italian side into the Champions League knockout stages at the expense of their Dutch hosts.</p>.<p>Ajax needed victory at the Amsterdam Arena to pip their Italian visitors to second place in Group D behind Liverpool but failed to create many chances as Atalanta produced an astute performance topped off by a breakaway goal in the 85th minute.</p>.<p>The Italian side finished the group on 11 points, four more than Ajax, who will go into the Europa League. Liverpool were top and Denmark’s Midtjylland bottom.</p>.<p>Atalanta, quarter-finalists in last season’s Champions League, abandoned their usual all-out attacking approach to concentrate on stifling Ajax’s midfield and denying the home side possession, executing coach Gian Piero Gasperini's plan to near perfection.</p>.<p>Ajax created only a single chance in the first half when 18-year-old striker Brian Brobbey, on his competition debut, headed into the hands of goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini.</p>.<p>They found more room in a desperate last 20 minutes when a penalty appeal, after substitute Klaas Jan Huntelaar tumbled theatrically to the ground, was turned down and Davy Klaassen shot into the legs of Gollini.</p>.<p>But the 78th-minute dismissal of 18-year-old midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, sent off for a second caution, hampered home hopes.</p>.<p>Atalanta's Dutch international midfielder Marten de Roon fired wide early and Matteo Pessina had an attempt blocked after a poor punch out by Ajax keeper Andre Onana.</p>.<p>The Italians, who only needed a draw to advance, secured the win when Remo Freuler’s perfectly-weighted ball found Muriel clear on goal and he rounded Onana to score.</p>
<p>A late goal from Luis Muriel earned Atalanta a 1-0 win at 10-man Ajax Amsterdam on Wednesday and sent the Italian side into the Champions League knockout stages at the expense of their Dutch hosts.</p>.<p>Ajax needed victory at the Amsterdam Arena to pip their Italian visitors to second place in Group D behind Liverpool but failed to create many chances as Atalanta produced an astute performance topped off by a breakaway goal in the 85th minute.</p>.<p>The Italian side finished the group on 11 points, four more than Ajax, who will go into the Europa League. Liverpool were top and Denmark’s Midtjylland bottom.</p>.<p>Atalanta, quarter-finalists in last season’s Champions League, abandoned their usual all-out attacking approach to concentrate on stifling Ajax’s midfield and denying the home side possession, executing coach Gian Piero Gasperini's plan to near perfection.</p>.<p>Ajax created only a single chance in the first half when 18-year-old striker Brian Brobbey, on his competition debut, headed into the hands of goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini.</p>.<p>They found more room in a desperate last 20 minutes when a penalty appeal, after substitute Klaas Jan Huntelaar tumbled theatrically to the ground, was turned down and Davy Klaassen shot into the legs of Gollini.</p>.<p>But the 78th-minute dismissal of 18-year-old midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, sent off for a second caution, hampered home hopes.</p>.<p>Atalanta's Dutch international midfielder Marten de Roon fired wide early and Matteo Pessina had an attempt blocked after a poor punch out by Ajax keeper Andre Onana.</p>.<p>The Italians, who only needed a draw to advance, secured the win when Remo Freuler’s perfectly-weighted ball found Muriel clear on goal and he rounded Onana to score.</p>