Valencia fans turned up in their thousands outside the Mestalla as Atalanta won a seven-goal thriller 4-3 to dump the Spanish club out of the Champions League.

Despite the last-16 second leg taking place behind closed doors due to the coronavirus outbreak, and Valencia’s 4-1 deficit form the first leg, supporters still gathered in huge numbers to support their team.

AFP or licensors 4 Valencia fans defied government advice

Getty - Pool 4 There was an incredible atmosphere outside the Mestalla

The number of cases in Spain surpassed 1,000 on Tuesday morning, and Spanish authorities advised that football should be played with no spectators for a minimum of two weeks.

Spain’s ministry of health also warned against ‘large gatherings of fans’, but as expected, many turned up anyway.

Valencia fans were pictured standing in close proximity to each other, as they would at any other game, waving scarves and flags.

Valencia's Champions League clash against Atalanta may be being played behind closed doors tonight, but the Mestalla faithful were still out in force to welcome their team 🦇👏@PoblaSanti was there to take in the scene ⬇️#LLL

🧡🇪🇸⚽️ pic.twitter.com/aGsACb2uFX — La Liga Lowdown 🧡🇪🇸⚽️ (@LaLigaLowdown) March 10, 2020

Inside the stadium, Josip Ilicic hit four goals as Atalanta advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

The Slovenia striker scored two first-half penalties to seemingly wrap up the tie, only for a Kevin Gameiro brace and a Ferran Torres strike to give Valencia hope of a shock comeback.

That would change when Ilicic added his third and fourth in the last 20 minutes, with the Serie A club eventually running out 8-4 aggregate winners.

AFP or licensors 4 Fans did not appear too concerned by coronavirus