Enrique – Atletico were better than Barcelona
HOLDERS BARCELONA crashed out of the Champions League after being stifled by a brilliantly well-organised Atletico Madrid and undone by two goals from Antoine Griezmann .
Griezmann headed home Saul Niguez’s exquisite cross to give the home side the lead in the 36th minute and provide them with a platform from which they comfortably contained their uncharacteristically limp opponents to seal a famous aggregate win.
The France forward scored again from the penalty spot with two minutes remaining, following a handball from Andres Iniesta, to complete a 3-2 aggregate victory that eliminated Barca at the quarter-final stage for the second time in three seasons, the last time of which also came against Wednessday night’s opponents.
Barcelona, who were bidding to become the first team to retain the Champions League, seem to have run out of steam at the end of the season, having won just one of their last five matches.
They have not looked the same side since their 39-game unbeaten run ended at the start of the month and they came into the match on the back of a 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad.
Despite allowing their visitors to dominate the ball Barcelona enjoyed 78pc possession in the first half , Atletico were never troubled and kept the dangerous trio of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez to scraps.
“I congratulate Atletico Madrid, they were better than us,” Barca coach Luis Enrique said. “We had control without creating much danger. The team wanted to retain the title, the fans did too, but today it was not to be. We are sad, of course.”
The Atletico supporters created a fervent atmosphere and the noise at kick-off spurred the hosts into a strong start, with Gabi blazing over and Yannick Carrasco and Griezmann testing Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Atletico took the lead in the tie on away goals when Saul carved out a cross with the outside of his boot towards Griezmann who headed into the top corner.
“We never stopped believing, we never give up what we want to do,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. “It was lovely to watch from the touchline. These moments won’t come back because they are unique in football.”
Griezmann headed home Saul Niguez’s exquisite cross to give the home side the lead in the 36th minute and provide them with a platform from which they comfortably contained their uncharacteristically limp opponents to seal a famous aggregate win.
The France forward scored again from the penalty spot with two minutes remaining, following a handball from Andres Iniesta, to complete a 3-2 aggregate victory that eliminated Barca at the quarter-final stage for the second time in three seasons, the last time of which also came against Wednessday night’s opponents.
Barcelona, who were bidding to become the first team to retain the Champions League, seem to have run out of steam at the end of the season, having won just one of their last five matches.
They have not looked the same side since their 39-game unbeaten run ended at the start of the month and they came into the match on the back of a 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad.
Despite allowing their visitors to dominate the ball Barcelona enjoyed 78pc possession in the first half , Atletico were never troubled and kept the dangerous trio of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez to scraps.
“I congratulate Atletico Madrid, they were better than us,” Barca coach Luis Enrique said. “We had control without creating much danger. The team wanted to retain the title, the fans did too, but today it was not to be. We are sad, of course.”
The Atletico supporters created a fervent atmosphere and the noise at kick-off spurred the hosts into a strong start, with Gabi blazing over and Yannick Carrasco and Griezmann testing Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Atletico took the lead in the tie on away goals when Saul carved out a cross with the outside of his boot towards Griezmann who headed into the top corner.
“We never stopped believing, we never give up what we want to do,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. “It was lovely to watch from the touchline. These moments won’t come back because they are unique in football.”
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