One win, two draws, three defeats: for Atlético de Madrid, the balance sheet is as inglorious as it is implacable. Already assured of not seeing the knockout stages of the Champions League since last week, and a draw against Bayer Leverkusen which ended with a dramatic penalty whistled after the end of the match and missed (2-2), them Colchoneros were once again beaten this Tuesday evening against FC Porto (2-1) and finished last in group B.
A fourth place which means that the Spaniards will not even be donated to the Europa League, a luxury reserved for third groups and, in the case of group B, Bayer, who conceded a draw against Bruges (0-0). “We didn’t deserve to qualify for the round of 16 or for the Europa League,” Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann helplessly conceded after the match at the microphone of broadcaster Movistar+. If you can only win one game in the group stage, that’s what you deserve. Now we have to shake our ass and shut our mouths. »
“To the fans, I just want to say thank you, continued the French striker; who recently validated his transfer to Atlético. For support in and out of the stadium. They don’t deserve this. We have to move our ass. We are a tough team to play if we believe in it, if we work hard… If we all go in the same direction with the coach. It is a pride to work for the coach and to play for this club, but we have to show it on the pitch”.
Third in La Liga behind Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid finished bottom of their group in the Champions League for the first time in their history. The last time the Colchoneros had been released in the group stage of the C1, they had been returned to C3 … and had won. It was in 2018, against Marseille in the final.