After scoring the game-winning goal in Atalanta's 4-0 win over Sampdoria in Serie A, Russia international Aleksei Miranchuk kept his head down and didn't celebrate.
Miranchuk immediately raised his hands to indicate that he would not celebrate the goal. (Screengrab)
After scoring the game-winning goal in Atalanta's 4-0 win against Sampdoria in Serie A on Monday, Russia international Aleksei Miranchuk kept his head down and didn't celebrate.
Miranchuk's goal came just hours after Russia's national team was barred from World Cup qualifying matches, as Moscow was forced to accept pariah status in sports as a result of its invasion of Ukraine.
Miranchuk's goal would have been reason for celebration in any other setting because it was exceptional. Before scoring from the edge of the area, he dribbled past four defenders, deflecting several of them by changing his eyes across the field for a split second.
Miranchuk held his hands up to indicate he would not celebrate the goal, then was swiftly surrounded by teammates.
Miranchuk is friendly with Ukrainian teammate Ruslan Malinovskyi, who lifted his jersey to reveal a message on his undershirt saying "No war in Ukraine" after scoring in the Europa League.
Marten de Roon, an Atalanta midfielder, remarked, "These days have been terrible."
"Ruslan is going through a difficult period since his family and city are in danger.... However, they (Malinovskyi and Miranchuk) are always in contact. Between them, there is nothing except friendliness."
Before the game, Atalanta general manager Umberto Marino described Malinovskyi and Miranchuk's friendship as "an example of what things should be."
Marino stated, "It's a genuine connection between two guys who represent two very similar peoples."
Malinovskyi was forced to sit out the game against Sampdoria after injured his calf during the warm-up.
Atalanta resurrected its prospects of a top-four finish and a fourth straight season in the Champions League by snapping a five-match losing streak.
With a game in hand, Atalanta closed the gap on fourth-placed Juventus to three points.
Mario Pasalic scored the game's first goal with a diving header six minutes in. Teun Koopmeiners then scored two goals, the first with an angled shot around the half-hour mark and the second with a one-touch finish from the middle of the area midway through the second half.
Sampdoria stayed in 15th place, four points above the relegation zone.
Due to the situation in Ukraine, all Serie A matches started five minutes late this round, accompanied by a peace message.
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