With ears alert and hard. That’s how he came Atlético de Madrid made his debut in the group stage Champions Against Lazio, the opponent to beat in a group where the red-whites must prioritize their potential. After the accident in Valencia last Saturday, Simeon It was “the worst game since joining the club” and with the present memory of their mediocre role in the recent group stages, the red and whites were placed in the group. Romewhere with one hand Pablo Barrios Those injured from the game reached minute 93 Italian goalkeeper Provedel equalized the match with a header and spoiled Atletico’s perfect first match (1-1).

Atletico have not won six consecutive matches in Europe 18 months Without knowing the away victory in the Champions League. Worst winning streak since the arrival of the Argentinian coach, who realized this before the match European cup Cholo, who made three changes from the team that lost in Valencia, said: “This is still a big challenge for us and I trust my team’s play”: Nahuel Molina took his place on the right wing Samuel Lino took over the left lane instead Riquelme and Saúl He replaced the injured Lemar.

It quickly became clear that the message had reached the players, who entered the match with chips and knew the importance of three points in order not to make their lives difficult. It only took a few minutes Griezmann To link up with a Lino who is enjoying his first possession in the squad, having become the left wing orphaned by Carrasco’s departure Saudi Arabia. Generous in withdrawal and sharp in attack, as Simeone demanded, the Brazilian took part in his team’s best attack in the first ten minutes, when Lazio were trapped in their own area against Atlético’s attacks.

Lazio made an offer, Atletico is waiting

The authoritarian start of the team Simeon But this was a mirage of what was to come in the first half. The red and whites did not care that they retreated and gave the ball to Lazio, and although Lazio did not care much, they took control and started to take the pulse of the match. oblak A timid header from Romagnoli and a long shot from his absence Kamada In his best moments he cleared it up with his fists.

Atletico were comfortable, barely bothering the Italians but Warned by counter-attack woven between Morata and Griezmann The Frenchman wasted it, stumbling when left alone against Provedel. And in those moments when the game passed through the most absolute nothingness, luck allied itself with the colchoneros. The ball leaked behind the Italian defense and reached the feet of Nahuel, who paused and saw the arrival of Barrios, who took the first shot, and after his shot rebounded from Kamada, he scored the only goal of the match with a certain chance.

It was pure gold for Atlético, who found the prize in a tight match before the match, something that allowed them to win in the packaging. Stay calm under the leadership of your youth playerThe bad news of the night was that the player, who retired at halftime due to muscle discomfort, was replaced by Gímenez, who made a full return after injury.

Barrio’s Injury

Although the loss was not noticed much, the Colchonero team grew as Nahuel, who assisted the first goal, stepped into the opposite field and Lazio forced the score and sought Oblak’s goal with greater determination. Match scenario that releases GriezmannThe player who had been handcuffed by the Italian defense until then and was able to enter the game more in the second half and make friends with his teammates.

I enjoyed it Seven As the minutes passed and Atlético always needed his inspiration, he stood by him in the best moments of the Colchoneros season. The Frenchman who sent the ball into the clouds received the penalty Like Morata, who hit the post, and Lino, who missed a one-on-one with Provedel, finishing at will from the penalty spot after a good run by Llorente.

Simeone’s boys didn’t get the job done, they didn’t suffer much, but they took a step back when the game was over and returned to Madrid looking bewildered with a miraculous goal from the Lazio goalkeeper in the last minute. It’s a new, perhaps the harshest possible blow for Atlético, who have had an uneven start to the season, and it comes just days before the Real Madrid team play in the derby at the Metropolitano next Sunday.