SM
Southampton vs. Liverpool: 17 hrs 45 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Q
Champions League | Group Stage
Oct 18, 2017 at 5pm UK
 
AM

0-0


Ndlovu (75')
FT

Atletico Madrid held by Qarabag in Baku

:Headline: Result: Atletico Madrid held by Qarabag in Baku: ID:309860: from db_amp
Atletico Madrid are held to a goalless draw by Qarabag in Wednesday night's Champions League group match in Baku.

Atletico Madrid have been held to a goalless draw by Azerbaijani champions Qarabag FK in Wednesday night's Champions League clash in Baku.

The result has left Atletico on two points in Group C, and the Madrid club now face a serious battle to make the knockout round of the competition.

A bright start to the match from Qarabag saw Dino Ndlovu cause Atletico's back four problems with his pace and movement, and the visitors struggled to settle inside the atmospheric stadium.

Qarabag's first half-chance of the night came in the 11th minute when Mahir Madatov found Richard Almeida inside the Atletico box, but the number 20's effort was blocked behind.

Atletico, on the other hand, were really struggling in the final third of the field, with Antoine Griezmann, Kevin Gameiro and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco finding it difficult to influence proceedings in Baku.

Nico Gaitan had a half-chance in the 25th minute after being found by Filipe Luis inside the Qarabag box, but the Argentine's effort landed in the stands as the Group C clash remained goalless.

Two minutes later, Carrasco had a brilliant opportunity after driving into the Qarabag box, but the Belgium international could not find a route past the home side's goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic.

Madatov had a decent strike deflected wide of the Atletico post 10 minutes before the end of the first period, before Saul Niguez headed into the arms of Sehic down the other end, but the best two chances of the first half came in the final minutes.

Griezmann had the first after dancing into the Qarabag box, but Sehic was down to make a fine save. Jose Gimenez was next to come close from the resulting corner, with the centre-back firing wide of the post from close range.

Griezmann had the ball in the back of the Qarabag net in the 53rd minute, but the offside flag denied the Frenchman a goal in the early stages of the second period.

Almeida had the home side's first attempt of the second half just past the hour, but the midfielder's effort was straight down the throat of Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak, before Pedro Henrique sliced wide from a good position moments later.

Ndlovu fired over the Atletico crossbar from an advanced position 20 minutes from time, and that prompted a double change from the visitors as Fernando Torres and Angel Correa entered the field.

Qarabag were reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute when Ndlovu picked up a second yellow card for a perceived dive inside the Atletico box, which handed a big advantage to the visitors ahead of the final stages.

Torres headed just wide of the Qarabag post five minutes from time as Atletico passed up a massive chance, before Tarik Elyounoussi came close for the home side down the other end.

Qarabag actually finished the game with nine men as Badavi Huseynov was stretchered off the field, but the home side held on to secure their first ever point in the group stage of the Champions League.

amp_article__309860 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2017-10-21 11:09:07:
html db last update - 2017-10-21 11:09:07 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal167542827126
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .