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Who scored the most important Champions League hat-trick this season

By Ashley Anthony

VALENCIA, SPAIN - MARCH 10: (FREE FOR EDITORIAL USE) In this handout image provided by UEFA, Josip Ilicic of Atalanta recieves the man of the match award and also the match ball after he scores all 4 goals of the match for his team during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Valencia CF and Atalanta at Estadio Mestalla on March 10, 2020 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by UEFA - Handout via Getty Images)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - MARCH 10: (FREE FOR EDITORIAL USE) In this handout image provided by UEFA, Josip Ilicic of Atalanta recieves the man of the match award and also the match ball after he scores all 4 goals of the match for his team during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Valencia CF and Atalanta at Estadio Mestalla on March 10, 2020 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by UEFA - Handout via Getty Images) /
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While the 2019-2020 Champions League is on hold the best thing to do is to reflect. And today we reflect on the most important hat-trick scored this term.

It has just been announced this year’s Champions League final which was set to take place in May, will be pushed back indefinitely. This does not hit us as a shock as the Coronavirus continues to increase worldwide.

During the suspension of football due to COVID-19, the only thing that can be done is reflect. Reflect on what was the most defying moments throughout the season of 2019-2020 before it ended, abruptly.

If not reflect on the past events, then predict. Predict the near and far future. A future currently unclear at the moment, but predict we can.

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Recap of the Champions League hat-trick heroes

Europe’s top club tournament saw 355 goals before it was put on pause. The group stages were spoilt with 323 goals. The group with the most goals was none other than Group E. The group that harboured the previous champions, Liverpool and young football prince, Erling Braut Haaland.

Beyond the group phase, 12 games played out while three never made the timeline before COVID-19 took over as the main page in every corner of the world, and Europe became the epicentre of it all.

Adding to this heavy goal tally were 10 hat-tricks, nine came during the group stage’s and only one came during the first round of the knockout stages. This one was the most important of them all and it was an easy selection.

Josip Ilicic’s heroism against Valencia

This was a special night for the club and player. Not only did he get to take the match ball home, but he also got to take the corner flag too, as he put away four goals on the night in a well-contested match. The final score was 3-4 to the Italian visitors, thanks to a solo slaying by Josip Ilicic.

Going one better, the 32-year-old scored the most goals across both legs with five goals to his name. The player was enjoying his spell with Atalanta in the cup, and hopefully, it can continue when football returns.

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After the match, he received the Man of the Match award and the ball. Over the two legs, he was the most important player in the Champion League round of 16. Bravo!

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