griezmann double takes atlético through published: wednesday 25 november 2015, 22.52cet atlético 2-0 galatasaray antoine griezmann scored a goal in each half as atlético made sure of progress from group c, leaving their opponents to play for third place. by joseph walker from estadio vicente calderón
win against galatasaray means atlético madrid and benfica progress from group c antoine griezmann heads atlético into early lead (13) french international clinches points from close range (65) atlético will contest first place with benfica; galatasaray play-off with astana for uefa europa league final group c games: galatasaray v astana, benfica v atlético (8 december)
two antoine griezmann goals maintained atlético madrid's impressive home record in europe and sealed a place in the uefa champions league round of 16 with a game to spare.
despite knowing a draw would secure qualification, diego simeone's side left nothing to chance as they dictated possession from the off. ırrespective of their dominance, initial momentum was almost cut short as former real madrid midfielder wesley sneijder fired just wide on ten minutes, yet that was as good as it got for the visitors and atlético were soon in front.
skipper gabi earned possession in galatasaray's half and floated a cross into griezmann's path, and the header was unerring. the frenchman then forced fernando muslera into action from distance as the rojiblancos sought to extend their lead, but they were unable to add to that before the break.
seeking an early goal to kill the game off, yannick carrasco was thwarted by muslera moments after the restart and the visiting goalkeeper then showed excellent reflexes to keep out a close-range koke volley.
there was little the uruguayan could do 20 minutes into the second half as gabi once again fed griezmann, who found the back of the net from close range and ensured his side will meet benfica to decide first place on matchday six.
key player: antoine griezmann griezmann like facing the turkish champions. after scoring twice against galatasaray on matchday one, he repeated the trick this evening. a menace all night, he showed that despite being one of the smallest men on the pitch he possesses a terrific leap as he powered in gabi's cross on 13 minutes before notching his fourth goal of this uefa champions league campaign – all against galatasaray.
koke back in business koke has not enjoyed the best of starts to the season, struggling for form and fitness, but his performances over the past couple of weeks will have given simeone a lot of encouragement. following his match-winning display against real betis at the weekend, the 23-year-old impressed again with an eye-catching performance in the centre of the park and was unlucky not to score as fernando muslera twice denied him in the second period.
gabi leading by example as he does every week, atlético madrid captain gabi put in a shift in the middle of the park, covering every blade of grass. the 32-year-old never gave galatasaray a moment's peace, consistently pressing high up the pitch to win back possession. he who set the bar early on by stealing the ball 30 metres from goal before feeding griezmann for the opener before showing quick feet to set up the second.
reaction diego simeone, atlético coach we played well. ın the first half we didn't create the chances our possession demanded, but in the second period we had the ball and created opportunities. ı'm happy for the club because it's a step forwards. finishing top is always better than coming second, but that doesn't guarantee you anything as all sides in the last 16 are competitive.
cláudio taffarel, interim galatasaray coach there's no need to write about our doom just yet. galatasaray have quality players but we made the game difficult for ourselves. our opponents out-ran and out-fought us. we needed to react in kind. ıf you want to achieve something in the champions league, you need to increase your tempo and prepare yourself physically and mentally.
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