Atletico Madrid’s hopes of securing a top-eight finish in the Champions League league phase suffered a blow after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Galatasaray in Istanbul on Wednesday in their penultimate fixture.
The result lifted Diego Simeone’s side provisionally into eighth place, but the three-time runners-up may now struggle to qualify directly for the last 16, with their fate no longer entirely in their own hands.
Giuliano Simeone gave Atletico the perfect start with an early opener, but Marcos Llorente’s own goal ensured the points were shared in a closely fought contest. The Spain international later redeemed himself with a crucial late interception that prevented Atletico from slipping to defeat.
“First, we wait to see the results — finishing in the top eight no longer depends only on us,” Simeone told reporters. “Based on those results, we will manage what does depend on us.”
While Simeone acknowledged his side must be more clinical in front of goal, he felt the margins were fine. “They could have won it with that last chance that Marcos saved,” he said. “I think we played a great game — we could have won it, but finishing is decisive, and hopefully we can recover that sharpness.”
Atletico silenced the raucous atmosphere early on, taking the lead in the fourth minute when Giuliano nodded home Matteo Ruggeri’s cross. Galatasaray responded after 20 minutes as Llorente inadvertently diverted Roland Sallai’s delivery into his own net, denying Jan Oblak a clean sheet on his 100th Champions League appearance.
The hosts nearly went ahead before the break, but Baris Yilmaz blazed over from a promising position. Atletico threatened again shortly before the hour mark, only for Abdulkerim Bardakci to clear David Hancko’s effort off the line.
Simeone introduced Antoine Griezmann in place of Alexander Sorloth, opting to keep Julian Alvarez on the pitch despite the Argentine’s recent struggles in front of goal. Alvarez, who has scored just once in his last 10 matches, produced a more energetic display than in recent outings.
Late chances fell Atletico’s way, with Ugurcan Cakir tipping Griezmann’s curling free-kick onto the woodwork before denying Alex Baena moments later. Galatasaray almost snatched victory at the death, but Llorente slid in to dispossess Eren Elmali as he prepared to shoot.
The draw left Galatasaray facing a daunting final group match away to Manchester City next week, where they will hope to secure a play-off place. Atletico, meanwhile, host Bodo/Glimt and still have a chance of clinching a top-eight finish — though victory in Istanbul would have placed them in a far stronger position.
AFP
