Champions League Matchday 8: Union Saint-Gilloise vs Atalanta facts
Friday, January 23, 2026
Article summary
Previous meetings, club facts and key stats ahead of the UEFA Champions League Matchday 8 game.
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Union Saint-Gilloise welcome Atalanta to Belgium as the league phase of the UEFA Champions League concludes.
The Belgian champions kick off on Matchday 8 in 31st place in the standings on six points; Atalanta have 13 and are in 13th after their three-match winning run was ended last time out although they are still already assured of a place in the knockout phase play-offs or better.
Last match
This is the first time the teams have met.
Union SG have played Italian opponents only twice before – both at home. They drew 1-1 against Roma on Matchday 4 of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League before losing 0-4 against Inter on Matchday 3 this season.
Atalanta are aiming for successive wins against Belgian opposition after a 2-1 home victory against Club Brugge on Matchday 2.
La Dea had lost all four of their previous matches against Belgian teams, including against Club Brugge in last season's knockout phase play-offs (1-2 a, 1-3 h).
This is Union SG's debut in the Champions League proper. They are the eighth Belgian team to appear.
Les Unionistes featured in the Europa League group stage/league phase in each of the last three seasons. In 2024/25 they were 21st in the league phase before losing 2-3 on aggregate to Ajax in the knockout phase play-offs.
Atalanta are taking part in the Champions League proper for the fifth time – all since 2019 – in 2025/26.
The Bergamo club were ninth in last season's league phase (W4 D3 L1) before losing 2-5 on aggregate to Club Brugge in the knockout phase play-offs.
Key stats
Union SG have lost five of their last six league phase matches (W1), going down 2-0 at Bayern München on Matchday 7.
The Belgian champions have conceded 11 goals in losing their first three home league phase games, scoring only two.
Atalanta's five-match unbeaten run in the league phase (W4 D1) was ended by a 2-3 home defeat against Athletic Club on Matchday 7, a result that halted a run of three straight wins.
That was only La Dea's third loss in their last 21 group stage/league phase games in European competition (W12 D6) and second in 11 at home (W5 D4).
The Italian side have lost only two of their last 14 away matches in the Champions League group stage/league phase (W9 D3) and have won the two most recent without conceding a goal.
Nine of Atalanta's ten league phase goals this season have come in the second half.
Atalanta's Gianluca Scamacca has scored in successive Champions League appearances.