Published By: Ritayan Basu
Last Updated: December 14, 2023, 07:24 IST
UEFA Champions League: Atletico Madrid and Lazio (AP)
Atletico Madrid defeated Lazio 2-0 to achieve the knockouts as group winners within the UEFA Champions League.
Antoine Griezmann and Samuel Lino scored in every half to present Atletico Madrid a 2-0 win over Lazio on Wednesday that secured them prime spot in Champions League Group E, the primary time since 2016 that they’d reached the knockouts as group winners.
A yr after being knocked out of the competitors within the group stage, Diego Simeone’s facet went into the final matchday unbeaten and positive of a spot within the final 16, however they wanted at the very least a degree in opposition to the Italian staff to complete prime.
They completed with 14 factors, 4 forward of Lazio in second place. Feyenoord completed third on six factors and can play within the Europa League, with Celtic backside of the group on 4 factors.
Atletico dominated proceedings and have been by no means at risk, even with Simeone deciding to relaxation a few of his key gamers, as captain Koke and striker Alvaro Morata began on the bench, whereas Griezmann and Jose Maria Jimenez performed solely the primary half.
ALSO READ | UEFA Champions League: Porto Eliminate Shakhtar Donetsk to Secure Knockout Place
Atletico’s Lino was a continuing menace motoring up and down their left wing and he was given a standing ovation by followers after being named man of the match.
He put the ball on a plate for Griezmann to open the scoring within the sixth minute after profitable possession on the sting of the field and crossing for the French ahead, who slotted dwelling with a primary-time strike.
It was Griezmann’s fifth Champions League aim this season which put him degree with Erling Haaland, Rasmus Hojlund and staff mate Morata because the competitors’s prime scorers.
The French ahead has discovered the again of the web 14 instances in 21 matches performed in all competitions this season and he’s solely two objectives behind Luis Aragones’ report as Atletico’s all-time prime scorer with 173.
Atletico had a Mario Hermoso aim dominated-out simply earlier than the break for offside within the construct up and wasted a few nice probabilities by means of Memphis Depay earlier than Lino secured the factors for the hosts with a positive volley on the rebound contained in the field within the 51st minute.
It was Atletico’s twentieth consecutive dwelling victory in all competitions, levelling membership’s report from the 2012-13 season. The final time they didn’t win at dwelling was a 1-1 LaLiga draw in opposition to Getafe in February.
“It’s the fans, who are here behind us, pressing. The games here are different, here we have our people, they are pressing and we are motivated to play great games,” Lino instructed Movistar Plus.
“The entire team played a great game. I’m MVP, but what matters is winning and finishing first in the group.
“We always have to be energetic, to attack, to defend and this is Atletico. We have to be physically prepared to deliver with our style of play.”
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Reuters)
