Europa League: 10-man Atletico Madrid Leaves Emirates Stadium With A Draw - Sports - Nairaland
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| Europa League: 10-man Atletico Madrid Leaves Emirates Stadium With A Draw by dabblesports(m): 1:06pm On Apr 27, 2018 |
Arsenal failed to consolidate on the advantage they had on the night against a 10-man Atletico Madrid side as the visitors salvaged a draw in the semi-final first leg of the Europa League at the Emirates Stadium. The game started with the Gunners showing dominance and having the greater percentage of ball possession, hence mounting much pressure on the Madrid side. Arsenal forward Lacazette gave the Gunners the lead when he nodded in Jack Wilshere’s cross after one hour of play but this came after series of misses by the home team. The goal apparently moved Arsenal closer to a possible Europa League final with hopes of possibly having manager Arsene Wenger leave in a memorable fashion. The visitors had their player Sime Vrsaljko sent off earlier in the first half as he was shown a red card, after being yellow carded early in the game. This act made the atmosphere more tensed with a furious Atletico manager Diego Simeone sent to the stands as he challenged the decision of the centre referee. The Spanish side survived unscathed to the break, with Alexandre Lacazette sending a half volley above the crossbar, the host best chance in the first half. Atletico couldn’t have so much flare and freedom on the night as they battled to fill the space of Vrsaljko who was sent off earlier in the match. But with eight minutes remaining, Griezmann latched on to a long ball forward, shrugged off Laurent Koscielny and beautifully tipped the ball above an approaching Mustafi and lodged the ball in the net. Arsenal fans were left ruing a familiar combination of wasteful finishing and costly lapses in concentration as the team departed to a muted response in Wenger’s final home European game. Wenger’s side must now breach an Atletico defence that has conceded just four times at home in La Liga this season to have any hope of extending Wenger’s 22-season spell in charge to the final on May 16. The tactical discipline of the Atletico side was witnessed last night as midfielder Thomas Partey slotted back into the defence, and forward Antoine Griezmann dropped deeper and their whole side set about absorbing Arsenal’s pressure and running more so as to cover more space. The tightest defence in the La Liga this season – with only 18 goals conceded in 34 games –but was finally unlocked as Arsenal’s Wilshere flung a pass and Lacazette towered above Luca Hernandez to score his 16th of the season. Wenger has lost twice in European finals with Arsenal failing to win the penalty shoot-out against Turkish side Galatasaray in the 2000 Uefa Cup final, before being struck a blow by Barcelona in the Champions League final six years later. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger spoke to BT Sport after the game: “Looking at the performance and the way the game went, it was the worst possible result for us, but we have to go there in a positive mood and qualify. “Of course it feels like an opportunity missed. We could have qualified tonight but it didn’t happen. Their keeper made a lot of saves and they showed their quality by scoring with one chance. “What matters is that we go there with the belief to do it.” Arsenal will have to focus on the domestic scene this weekend as they travel to Old Trafford on Sunday to face Manchester United (16:30 BST) in a Premier League clash, and in the Spanish La Liga, Atletico Madrid travel to face Alaves on Sunday before both sides face each other on Thursday in the second leg of the Europa League. www.dabbsports.com 1 Share
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