We deserved more

Atletico Madrid were knocked out of the Europa League after winning 0-1 in Moscow against Rubin Kazan. The 0-2 deficit from the first-leg was too much to turn around and although Simeone's team did everything possible to level the balance. There were chances to have scored before, but luck was not with Atletico as in the first leg. Falcao scored in the competition but the goal came late and there wasn’t enough time to level. But this match leaves a very positive reading for Atletico, who played a good game overall

Atletico Madrid went well at Luzhniki Stadium frigid, fast, strong and put pressure on the Russians with an attack minded performance as they had to find a goal to get into the match. Atletico looked for the goal from the beginning but the keeper Ryzhikov was on form again. The match was nothing like the one seen a week ago at the Vicente Calderon.

The ball was red and white, they had control of the game and chances too. Rubin Kazan sat back expected some backlash. The Russians could only attempt to surprise Asenjo fafrom distance and the first shot came from Roman Eremenko in the 26th minute. Another long range effort came from Kislyak in the 36 minute but that was the home side had to offer.

Falcao was looking to get his Europa League tally of the mark for this year and after three minutes Ryzhikov was forced to stick out an hand to deflect a shot by Colombian from a corner. And in the 18th minute Simeone side almost opened the scoring as Falcao came close again. Two minutes later, a cross from Adrian picked out Falcao but the defender did well. Soon after, Adrian was at its best and after cutting the ball back, it looked to hit the had of a defender but the referee was having none of it.

At the half hour mark but Raul Garcia tried his luck with a shot from long range in to the bottom left of the Russians goal. He was also involved in another dangerous move, with a dangerous cross which missed the target and was saved by Kuzmin on the line. There were two other occasions before the break with a header from Raul Garcia and a shot from Saul, both saved by Ryzhikov.

It was a shame that the first half ended goalless, when Simeone’s men had deserved the reward of a goal. The result of the first leg was weighing too heavily on the atmosphere.

The script of the second half was the same as the first act. Rubin Kazan, were even more blatant in their defensively approach and let Atletico come at them. The goal did not come and as the minutes passed the need for a goal made everyone anxious. But Saul brought ray a light of hope midway through the second half time. He did well to find space to shot in a crowded penalty area but his shot was saved by Cesar Navas deflecting it for a corner kick when the goal was about to arrive.

After a period in the second half with less chances, the goal came. Adrian, dramatic, sublime, which was three opponents around him found Falcao who was releasedto score in this Europa League . Seven minutes were left on the clock, Atletico had fought like a wounded lion and wanted to give his last claw. And there was a chance when in the 87th minute Miranda arrived in the 6 yard box, but the Russian goalkeeper saved the shot. Rubin looked to play down the clock and the expulsion of Cesar Navas for a brutal tackle on Falcao did not chance the result. In the end, the champion won but it was not enough. The 0-2 defeat from the first-leg was too much to turn around and football was cruel when Atletico Madrid deserved more in Moscow.