| Atlético Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann looks at the ball after losing a goal during UEFA Champions League Group B match 6 at Istadio do Dragan in Porto, Portugal on the morning of 2 (Korea time). AP news |
Atletico Madrid (Spain) had their worst performance in the UEFA Champions League. They finished last in the group stage for the first time ever.
Atlético Madrid lost 1-2 against Porto (Portugal) in the last sixth match of Group B played at the Istadio do Dragan in Porto, Portugal, on the morning of the 2nd (Korean time). Atlético Madrid, who previously failed to make it to the round of 16, remained in fourth place with 1 win, 2 draws and 3 losses (5 points). Atlético Madrid had the same points as Leverkusen (Germany), but fell behind in the standings with 1 draw and 1 loss in their opponent’s record.
It is the first time since the 1958-1959 season, when Atlético Madrid remained at the bottom of the group stage of the Champions League for the first time. And it is the lowest point in 13 years since the 2009-2010 season 3 draws (3 points). They also failed to make it through the group stage for the first time in five years since the 2017-2018 season.
Atlético Madrid needed a win to finish third, qualifying for UEFA Europe. However, spurred on by Porto’s offensive, Mehdi Taremi conceded a goal on the 5th minute of the first half, and on the 24th minute a further goal was conceded by Stephen Östacchio. Atlético Madrid counterattacks, but in the 49th minute of the second half, just before the end of the match, Porto’s own goal Ivan Marcano saves just one goal.
Bayern Munich (Germany) in Group C beat Inter (Italy) 2-0. Benjamin Pavard and Eric Maxim Chupomotting each scored one goal. Bayern Munich, who had already secured first place in the group, finished the group stage with six wins (19 points) and all. Bayern Munich are the only team to have won the Champions League group stage this season, becoming the first team in Champions League history to achieve three group stage wins. Inter, placed 2nd, finished the group stage with 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats (10 points).
Barcelona (Spain) in the same group beat Victoria Plzen (Czech Republic) 4-2. However, Barcelona secured third place by eliminating the group stage earlier. Barcelona finished the group stage with 2 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats (7 points). Plzen remained at the bottom of the table with 6 losses (0 points) and all losses.
The reporter Heo Jong-ho
