SM
Barcelona vs. Valencia: 4 hrs 50 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 - 2021-03-01 20:38:50 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2GironaGirona33225669402971
3Barcelona32217464372770
4Atletico MadridAtletico33204962392364
5Athletic Bilbao331610753332058
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis33121384139249
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal33129125455-145
10Getafe331013104145-443
11Osasuna33116163749-1239
12Sevilla33911134246-438
13AlavesAlaves33108153138-738
14Las PalmasLas Palmas33107163041-1137
15Rayo Vallecano33713132742-1534
16Mallorca33614132739-1232
17Celta Vigo33710163750-1331
18CadizCadiz33414152346-2326
19Granada3349203661-2521
RAlmeria33111213267-3514
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.



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