Atletico Madrid win Champions League group after 2-0 victory over Lazio
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Lazio's Mario Gila (right) battling for the ball with Atletico Madrid's Alvaro Morata during their Champions League clash which Atletico won 2-0.
PHOOT: REUTERS
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MADRID – Antoine Griezmann and Samuel Lino, backed by their “pressing” fans, scored in each half to give Atletico Madrid a 2-0 home win over Lazio on Dec 13 that secured them top spot in Champions League Group E.
It was the first time since 2016 that they had reached the knockout phase as group winners.
A year after being booted out of the competition in the group stage, Diego Simeone’s side went into the last match day unbeaten and sure of a place in the last 16, but they needed at least a point against the Italian team to finish top.
They finished with 14 points, four ahead of Lazio in second place. Feyenoord were third on six points and will play in the Europa League, with Celtic bottom of the group on four points.
“It’s the fans who are here behind us, pressing. The games here are different, here we have our people, they are pressing and we are motivated to play great games,” said Lino, who was named Man of the Match at the Metropolitano Stadium.
“The entire team played a great game. I’m MVP, but what matters is winning and finishing first in the group. We always have to be energetic, to attack, to defend and this is Atletico. We have to be physically prepared to deliver with our style of play.”
Atletico dominated proceedings and were never in danger, even with Simeone deciding to rest some of his key players, as captain Koke and striker Alvaro Morata started on the bench, while Griezmann and Jose Maria Jimenez played only the first half.
Lino was a constant menace motoring up and down their left wing and he was given a standing ovation by fans.
He put the ball on a plate for Griezmann to open the scoring in the sixth minute after crossing for the French forward, who slotted home with a first-time strike.
It was Griezmann’s fifth Champions League goal this season which put him level with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund and teammate Morata as the competition’s top scorers.
Atletico had a Mario Hermoso goal ruled out for offside and wasted a couple of great chances before Lino secured the points for the hosts with a fine volley inside the box in the 51st minute.
Atletico have won 20 straight home games in all competitions, equalling the club’s record from the 2012-13 season.
In Group H, Porto reached the last 16 after a 5-3 victory in their winners-take-all clash with Shakhtar Donetsk.
Antwerp beat Barcelona 3-2 in the other game as Porto finished level with the Catalan giants on 12 points but ended behind them on head-to-head. AFP, REUTERS
