Atletico Madrid were eliminated from the Champions League after losing 0-3 to Juventus in the second leg of the last 16. Diego Simeone admitted that this was his fault. Juventus host Atletico at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday, with a deficit of 0-2. The record was reversed by the Old Lady in the second meeting with a 3-0 win through Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick. The Bianconeri made it to the quarterfinals with a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Atletico did not play effectively as was done in the first leg. At that time, Los Colchoneros was able to release 13 shots with five that led to the goal even though it only had 37 percent possession. The shot was far below Juve, who had two shots on goal from 14 trials. In fact, the Bianconeri also have control of the ball 63 percent. In the second leg, Atletico also lacked possession of the ball at 38 percent. After a minimum of possession, Atletico also had a poor chance with only five shots without anyone on goal. Juventus are far better at home. The team made by Massimiliano Allegri was able to release 16 shots with four on target.
“It’s not about commitment, work, or struggle. Juventus are better and deserve to win matches. They pressure us. You have to congratulate rivals when they play like that and you are defeated like today,” Atletico coach Simeone was quoted as saying Sky Sports. “We made a lot of mistakes, of course – but what I meant was me, not the players. Juventus were better tactical and second ball. That’s the reason they won the match,” he continued.
Another highlight is Alvaro Morata’s blunder in the process of Juventus’s first goal. The Atletico Madrid striker was also involved in a dispute with Giorgio Chiellini. Ronaldo’s first goal came in the 27th minute. The 34-year-old striker completed Federico Bernardeschi’s cross with a header. Behind these goals there is a blunder from Morata. The Spaniard steered the ball back after winning the race in midfield. But, the ball didn’t get to a teammate and managed to cut Emre Can, who immediately directed it to Bernardeschi before releasing assists. Morata was back in the spotlight midway through the second half. He was involved in a dispute with Chiellini near the Juve penalty box. The former Juventus striker looked upset with Chiellini. Morata then immediately pushed his former colleague to the ground. Chiellini did not reply to that urge, but merely threw words at Morata. Before the situation got hotter, Leonardo Bonucci came to embrace Morata so the atmosphere subsided.
ASL
