Thrashing and three points to lead the group
Atlético de Madrid achieved an important and comfortable victory against Astana thanks to goals by Saúl, Jackson and Óliver. The defeat of Benfica in Istanbul and this win makes us group leaders.
ATLÉTICO DE MADRID 4 – 0 ASTANA
Atlético de Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Savic, Godín, Siqueira; Carrasco, Tiago (Óliver Torres, 46’), Gabi, Saúl; Griezmann (Correa, 58’) and Jackson Martínez (Fernando Torres, 67’).
Astana: Eric; Beysebekov, Postnikov, Dedechko, Ilic, Akhmetov; Schetkin (Kulbekov, 80’), Muzhikov (Kozhamberdy, 84’), Zhukov (Pikalkin, 64’), Kethevoama; and Kabananga.
Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus). Booked the visiting Akhmetov (48’).
GOALS:
1-0. 22’. Saúl backheels to the net a pass from Carrasco from the goal-line.
2-0. 29’. Jackson Martínez turns in the box and his effort enters after touching a defender.
3-0. 63’. Óliver Torres delicately lobs over the goalkeeper Eric as he comes out.
4-0. 90’. Dedechko deflects to his own goal a cross from Juanfran.
Atlético de Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Savic, Godín, Siqueira; Carrasco, Tiago (Óliver Torres, 46’), Gabi, Saúl; Griezmann (Correa, 58’) and Jackson Martínez (Fernando Torres, 67’).
Astana: Eric; Beysebekov, Postnikov, Dedechko, Ilic, Akhmetov; Schetkin (Kulbekov, 80’), Muzhikov (Kozhamberdy, 84’), Zhukov (Pikalkin, 64’), Kethevoama; and Kabananga.
Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus). Booked the visiting Akhmetov (48’).
GOALS:
1-0. 22’. Saúl backheels to the net a pass from Carrasco from the goal-line.
2-0. 29’. Jackson Martínez turns in the box and his effort enters after touching a defender.
3-0. 63’. Óliver Torres delicately lobs over the goalkeeper Eric as he comes out.
4-0. 90’. Dedechko deflects to his own goal a cross from Juanfran.
The match had the story our team wanted. The team came out decided to settle in the first half and so it was. After several chances to score, Saúl put the icing to a masterful pass from Carrasco from the goal-line to score the first with the heel. Shortly after, Jackson Martínez premiered as a striker before his fans with a drive from inside the box. Until the end of the first half, the chances kept coming although without any change in the scoring.
The match had the story our team wanted. The team came out decided to settle in the first half and so it was. After several chances to score, Saúl put the icing to a masterful pass from Carrasco from the goal-line to score the first with the heel. Shortly after, Jackson Martínez premiered as a striker before his fans with a drive from inside the box. Until the end of the first half, the chances kept coming although without any change in the scoring.After the half-time, Óliver Torres entered for Tiago to have his share of glory in the Champions League. Good second half of the player from the ranks which he signed off with a goal, beating Eric as he came out with a spectacular lob. There was time to see Correa and Torres in action. The latter had precisely two one-on-ones that Eric saved, preventing his team from a bigger thrashing.
This win and the defeat of Benfica in Istanbul against Galatasaray makes us leaders of the group on the third round of the group stage of the Champions League. The next game against Astana will be played in Kazakhstani land on Tuesday, November 3rd.
