Kochenkov Saves Penalty, Corluka Picks Up Injury. Atletico Defeat Lokomotiv In Closing Game Of Year
Lokomotiv and Atletico were the losers of the previous round of the Champions League. However, those were different losses: Lokomotiv said farewell even to the Europa League while the Spanish side were still in a good position - to qualify for the play-offs they needed either to beat the Railroaders or hope that Leverkusen loses points against Juventus.
Atletico chose option one and spent just 15 seconds to creat their first chance - Morata crossed to the box where Hoewedes managed to cut it short. Lokomotiv hoped to be done with it but the Spaniards were of a different opinion and were soon granted a penalty after Kochenkov knocked down Joao Felix in the corner of the goal area. Trippier decided to have a go but couldn't fox Anton who saved his great attempt from the spot - the keeper parried the ball in the upper corner. Atletico continued to build up pressure and earned another penalty in the 16th minute. Zhemaletdinov handplayed the ball in the box, the ref pointed at the spot again, Joao Felix did it himself this time, and opened the score.
The hosts tried to double the lead in the middle of the first half - Correa passed to Morata who found space behind Corluka and sent the ball into the back of the net but Kassai canceled the goal due to an offside.
Atletico created a few more chances before half-time - Joao Felix had a go but missed just an inch and Kochenkov saved a long-range attempt by Partey The stats were clear: in the first half, Atletico made 12 attempts, including 5 on target. Lokomotiv threatened Oblak just once.
In the second half, the Spaniards pushed for an early goal and succeeded. In the 55th minute they earned a corner kick, Trippier played it with Koke who waited for Felipe to join and crossed to him. Kochenkov had no chance to save the blast from the corner of the goal area.
Having scored a second goal, Atletico took control of the ball and confidently defended the result, sometimes trying luck at our goal. In one of those offensives Correa injured Corluka. The midfielder wanted to fox the Croat but instead lost balance and kicked the cap on the leg. Corluka was carried away on the stretches and was substituted for Magkeyev who made his debut in the Champions League.
This was the last notable episode in the game. Atletico advance to the play-offs, Lokomotiv is last in the group.
Champions League. Group D. Round 6.
Atletico – Lokomotiv - 2:0 (1:0)
Goals: Joao Felix, 17 (pen.) (1:0).Felipe, 55 (2:0)
Penalties missed: Trippier, 3
Atletico: Oblak, Thomas, Koke (Lemar, 73), Joao Felix (Llorente, 81), Saul, Morata, Correa (Herrera, 68), Renan Lodi, Felipe, Hermoso, Trippier
Lokomotiv: Kochenkov, Rybus, Idowu, Corluka (Magkeyev, 69), Hoewedes, Kverkvelia, Murilo, Krychowiak, Miranchuk, Zhemaletdinov, Eder (Smolov, 75)
Bookings: Murilo, 41. Krychowiak 42 Correa 68.
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
December 11, 2019. Madrid, Vanda Metropolitano Stadium
