News Archive

Champions League, round of 16, first leg

Valencia’s participation in this season’s Champions League appears to be over after they lost 4-1 to Atalanta in the San Siro stadium. The Ches went behind early on when Hateboer connected with a Papu Gómez cross to beat Jaume, and although Ferran hit the woodwork a few minutes later, Ilicic made it two with a long shot shortly before the break. After the restart Freuler and Hateboer added two more, taking advantage of a shaky defence missing its two first-choice centre-backs, and although Cheryshev fired one back soon afterwards, Valencia will need a minor miracle in three weeks’ time if they are to make it through. (19.02.20)

The knock-out stage of the Champions League began this week, with Atlético Madrid beating defending champions Liverpool 1-0 in the opening match on Tuesday night. With several players injured, Simeone’s side were not given much hope against the unbeaten Premier League leaders, but with only four minutes on the clock Saúl put them ahead after Koke’s corner fell to him. Salah had a strike ruled out for offside before the break, but otherwise the locals didn’t allow their opponents many chances, and Morata could have increased the lead had he been able to convert a couple of chances after that. A house-special single-goal victory which gives Atleti the edge for the second leg, although they will not have forgotten that Klopp’s team overturned a three goal deficit against Barcelona last season. (18.02.20)