MSN Go MIA: Atletico Madrid Dump Barcelona Out Of Champions League After Antoine Griezmann Brace (Photos & Highlights)

Alan Duffy

13th, April 2016

4 Comments

Barcelona’s hopes of winning back-to-back Champions League titles were extinguished at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday night, with  Atletico Madrid winning 2-0 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.

A fine first-half header from French winger Antoine Griezmann levelled the tie at 2-1 in the first-half, as Barca struggled to break down Diego Simeone’s well-drilled side.

After the break, the visitors pushed for a precious equaliser but the front-three of Messi, Suarez and Neymar failed to deliver, with Messi of all people failing to muster a single shot on goal.

Luis Enrique’s side should’ve had a penalty late on when Gabi clearly handled in the box, only for ref  Nicola Rizzoli to ignore the protests.

Then, after Andres Iniesta had himself handled in the box (and was lucky not to see red), Griezmann converted the resulting spot-kick to seal the deal for the Rojiblancos on 88 minutes.

So, as in the 2013/14 season, Atletico have dumped the great Barcelona out of the Champions League, leaving Simeone’s side to join rival Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich (who beat Benfica 3-2 on aggregate) in the last four.

As for Messi and co., the previously all-conquering Catalans have now lost three of their last four games, with that Clasico defeat at the hands of Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid arguably taking its toll on Barca’s mental state. Indeed, in La Liga, Atletico are just three points behind, as the pressure grows at the Nou Camp.

Here’s the highlights…

(Highlights: Footytube)

Posted in Barcelona, Champions League, Newsnow, Videos

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4 Comments

  1. Jarren says:

    Oh poor Barcelona. How the world feels sorry for their poor form.

    How we weep.

    I almost feel like starting a crowdfund to raise money for them.

    Payment in tears only, please.

  2. syndex says:

    Anyone remember when Martinez was being touted as the next barca boss well now you can have him lads.

  3. martin says:

    @syndex Martinez is already coaching there.

    Luis Enrique is the first name, and the surname is Martinez.

  4. Hootie says:

    They’ve been crap since the international break, which make some sense. Still, you’d think one of them could be out of their funk by now.

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