Atletico Madrid fell to a humiliating 4-0 Champions League defeat at Benfica on Wednesday. Diego Simeone’s aspect have been totally outplayed and outfought in Lisbon and the Portuguese aspect triumphed emphatically to report a second win in two matches within the competitors. Bruno Lage’s group went forward by way of Kerem Aturkoglu’s thirteenth minute strike, with former Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria extending the lead from the penalty spot early within the second half.
Alexander Bah headed residence the third from a nook within the seventy fifth minute and Orkun Kokcu accomplished the rout with one other penalty late on.
Atletico have now received simply certainly one of their final 10 Champions League away matches and barely troubled Benfica on the Estadio da Luz.
Rojiblancos goalkeeper Jan Oblak and defender Axel Witsel endured a troublesome night again at their previous stomping floor, as Simeone’s group displayed an uncharacteristic lack of grit.
“This is nothing good and I can not say rather more than that — at present we weren’t as much as it and it was a foul recreation, the worst recreation of the season,” Oblak informed Movistar.
“We began a primary half badly once more and within the second we did not react like we’ve got in different video games.
“Today it is clear we didn’t compete on this recreation, and that may’t be, how come? Tiredness, I do not know… on the lookout for excuses now has no sense.”
Atletico fought exhausting to grab a degree from Sunday’s derby draw towards rivals Real Madrid however confirmed little of that spirit on Wednesday.
It was Atletico’s joint largest European defeat, tied with 5 different events they’ve been overwhelmed by the identical margin.
“Well completed to them, that they had an excellent recreation, profiting from all of the errors we may commit,” a disenchanted Simeone informed Movistar.
“The reality is that they have been enormously environment friendly and so they deserved to win, with none doubt… they have been higher than us in each second.”
Efficient Eagles
Fredrik Aursnes received the ball again excessive up the pitch for the opener, squaring for Akturkoglu to fireplace previous Oblak.
Atletico’s Samuel Lino hit the crossbar with a wayward cross in response and it was as shut because the three-time Champions League runners-up got here.
Vangelis Pavlidis clipped the surface of the submit for Benfica earlier than the interval however they didn’t have to attend for much longer to stretch their lead.
Simeone made a triple change at half-time, together with Alexander Sorloth and Conor Gallagher approaching, whereas the quiet Antoine Griezmann and captain Koke made method.
Former Chelsea midfielder Gallagher stood on Pavlidis’ foot to concede a penalty and Di Maria despatched Oblak the fallacious method from the spot.
The Argentine winger ought to have scored once more however Oblak denied him as he ran by way of on aim.
Bah escaped Gallagher to go residence a nook to substantiate Benfica’s victory, whereas Kokcu slotted in one other penalty after on mortgage Burnley striker Zeki Amdouni was tripped.
Atletico return to their Metropolitano stadium for his or her subsequent European match, towards French aspect Lille — who beat defending champions Real Madrid — whereas Benfica host Dutch outfit Feyenoord.
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