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Thursday, April 14, 2016

Barcelona out! Dumped out of European Champions League by Athletico Madrid



Atletico Madrid master class defense leads to 2-0 second leg victory over Barcelona (3-2 agg)

'Antoine Griezmann double dumps favourites Barca out as Lionel Messi and Co draw a blank'
The Athletico win gives Spain two of the semi-finalists in this edition of the competition as they join Manchester City (Eng), Bayern Munich (Germany) and Real Madrid (Sp) in the last four

  • Antoine Griezmann gave Atletico Madrid the lead when he headed Saul Niguez's clever cross into the top corner 

  • Luis Enrique's Barcelona only managed one shot on target in the first half as the organised Atletico shut them out

  • Griezmann made it 2-0 from the penalty spot three minutes from time after Andres Iniesta had handled in the box

  • Barcelona led 2-1 from the first leg at the Nou Camp where Fernando Torres scored and was sent off for the visitors

Having been favourites to become the first side to defend the Champions League, Barcelona were sent crashing out at the quarter-final stage by La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night. Antoine Griezmann's first-half header and a penalty three minutes from time settled a pulsating tie that saw Diego Simeone's side progress to the last four with a 3-2 aggregate win.
Atletico delivered a tactical masterclass in the opening 45 minutes as Barcelona struggled to create chances against one of the most regimented teams in European football before Griezmann turned Saul Niguez's clever cross past Marc-Andre ter Stegen to give the hosts the crucial goal. Griezmann sealed victory for Atletico from the spot in the closing stages after Andres Iniesta handled in the box as the home side threatened on the break.

3325f6f900000578-0-image-a-33_1460575897087Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann is lifted in the air during the celebrations after heading the hosts into the lead
3325fb2b00000578-0-image-a-36_1460576001558France international Griezmann powered a header past Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to put Atletico ahead
33261d3100000578-0-image-a-63_1460577664588The Atletico Madrid players mobbed goalscorer Griezmann after his header put the home side into the lead at Vicente Calderon
3326007a00000578-0-image-a-48_1460576748422
A dejected Luis Suarez pulls his shirt over his mouth as he waits to restart the game after Griezmann's goal
3326579500000578-3538592-image-a-70_1460579873642
Griezmann sealed the victory for Atletico Madrid three minutes from time when he rolled a penalty past the Barcelona goalkeeper
3326571600000578-3538592-image-a-71_1460580281865The 25-year-old leads the celebrations with team-mate Koke (right) after putting Atletico 3-2 ahead on aggregate

MATCH FACTS

ATLETICO XI: Oblak, Juanfran, Godin, Lucas, Filipe Luis, Augusto (Savic 93), Gabi, Saul, Koke, Griezmann (Correa 90), Carrasco (Partey 74)
Subs not used: Moya, Gamez, Kranevitter, Vietto
Scorer: Griezmann 36, 88
Booked: Gabi, Godin, Correa, Koke
BARCELONA XI: Ter Stegen, Alves (Sergi Roberto 64), Mascherano, Pique, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic (Arda Turan 64), Iniesta, Neymar, Suarez, Messi
Subs not used: Bravo, Douglas, Bartra, Adriano, El Haddadi
Booked: Suarez, Neymar, Iniesta, Turan
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)
3325d83800000578-0-image-a-21_1460574543208Tricky Barcelona forward Neymar looks to set the visitors on the attack as Atletico midfielder Augusto Fernandez attempts to challenge3325d8c000000578-0-image-a-22_1460574676016Atletico Madrid forward Yannick Ferreira Carrasco (right) and Barca left back Jordi Alba raise their boots to try and win the ball
3325e4aa00000578-0-image-a-26_1460575017708Lionel Messi (left) chases down the ball but the Argentinian is hounded by Atletico Madrid's French defender Lucas
3325ea6800000578-0-image-a-28_1460575113119Barcelona striker Luis Suarez (right) attempts to nutmeg 20-year-old defender Lucas as Barca struggle to penetrate during the first half
3325ea4400000578-0-image-a-30_1460575237009 
Andres Iniesta is crowded out by Atletico midfielders Saul Niguez (centre) and Gabi as the home side suffocate the space for Barca
3325e9d500000578-0-image-a-31_1460575553674Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul attempts to evade the attentions of Barca left back Alba (left) and Iniesta (right)3325f23100000578-0-image-a-43_1460576341253Messi, who was in the midst of his longest run without a goal for almost five years, send a free-kick harmlessly over the crossbar
3325fb4c00000578-0-image-a-41_1460576168220Griezmann, 25, celebrates his goal by cradling his arms in reference to recent birth of a baby daughter
3325fb6c00000578-0-image-a-39_1460576165852Atletico manager Simeone has a smile etched across his face after seeing his side take control of the quarter-final tie
Luis Suarez barely had a kick in the first half  demonstrating perfectly Barcelona's struggles – Click here for more from Match Zone
33263b1500000578-0-image-a-68_1460579093317Iniesta carries the ball forward as Barcelona look to turn up the heat on the Atletico defence in the second half
Courtesy: mail
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