UCL: ANTOINE GRIEZMAN STEALS LATE WINNER TO HAND OVER ATLETICO MADRID VICTORY AT METROPOLITANO STADIUM
Atletico Madrid beat Porto in a remarkable 2-1 win featuring three stoppage time goals.
When these two met in the Champions League group stage last season, this same fixture finished 0-0 and from the outset that seemed a likely outcome again this time around.
Despite entering his 11th season as Atletico manager, Diego Simeone is still getting a remarkable tune out of his players.
The patience of his team, even when dominating possession at home, to never waste an attack is really very impressive.
Simeone’s team are as disciplined and dogged defensively as any team in Europe, but they also know how and when to attack.
Atletico had far fewer attacks than Porto, fewer shots and fewer shots on target, but they used the chances they did create very effectively.
The late goals from Hermoso and Griezmann serve only to underline the fact that even after all this time, Simeone has the complete buy-in of his players
Axel Witsel was calmness personified as he continued to excel in his new role at the heart of Atletico Madrid’s defence. Having just arrived this summer, the veteran midfielder appeared remarkably comfortable against Porto.
He was strong in the air and on the ground, while playing a crucial role in Atleti’s retention of the ball.
No player made as many passes in the first half, or won as many tackles as Witsel.
He even successfully marked Pepe at set pieces.
Witsel’s remarkable energy was influential, too. Even in the 99th-minute, Witsel carried the ball out of his own end, driving Atletico forward in search of a winner. When that attack broke down, it was Witsel again who snuffed out Porto’s four-on-three break.
Then, with seconds remaining, Witsel got the flick-on for Griezmann’s winner.
PLAYER RATINGS
Atletico: Oblak 7, Carrasco 6, Reinildo 7, Witsel 8, Gimenez 7, Molina 6, Koke 6, Saul 5, Llorente 6, Joao Felix 7, Morata 5. Subs: Hermoso 6, de Paul 6, Lemar 5, Griezmann 7, Correa 6
Porto: Costa 5, Pepe 5, Pepe 7, Carmo 7, Zaidu 6, Uribe 7, Otavio 6, Eusaquio 7, Galeno 7, Taremi 5, Evanilson 6. Subs: Veron 6, Mário 7, Martín
