GIRONA, Spain (AFP) - Antoine Griezmann helped Atletico Madrid edge towards the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday (Jan 9) as they took a valuable away goal from a 1-1 draw with Girona.
Griezmann's early shot squirmed its way in off both the crossbar and then goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz but Girona hit back before half-time through Anthony Lozano.
Neither side could find a winner in a cagey contest at Montilivi but Atletico will be the happier, with the second leg at home still to come next week.
Diego Simeone fielded a strong line-up that included Griezmann, Diego Godin, Koke, Saul Niguez and Thomas Lemar but goalkeeper Jan Oblak was left on the bench.
Oblak's immense value was brought into focus by his stand-in, the 31-year-old Antonio Adan, offering a weak attempt at saving Lozano's equaliser.
Atletico needed a heavy dose of fortune too as they took the lead after eight minutes. Nikola Kalinic cut the ball back to Griezmann on the edge of the area and he fired it first-time towards goal.
Iraizoz did well to push it onto the crossbar but his effort drew scant reward as the ball cannoned down, off the diving goalkeeper and in.
Girona were far from overawed, however, and pulled level shortly after the half-hour, Lozano's guided shot met only by a weak hand from Adan on its way into the far corner.
Lozano could have had a second five minutes later but his flicked header struck the bar, while Atletico might have won it in the second half as Kalinic blazed over and his replacement, Vitolo, stung the hands of Iraizoz.
Thomas Partey had arguably the best chance when Iraizoz rushed out, only to send his clearance straight to the midfielder. The goal was empty but Partey's long-range effort drifted wide.
Arrizabalaga dropped as Chelsea beat Tottenham 2-0 | Free
Plenary Address of Professor Daniel C. Maguire at the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, Egypt, September 8, 1994 C-1.17 2-DM
Subscribe to Read Articles from March 1979 Part 1 - Site Map
Pep Guardiola impressed with Bayern Munich's desire for success ahead of Real Madrid Champions League semi-final Ex-Toffees winger Andy van der Meyde urges Anwar El Ghazi against joining his
Pep Guardiola must pick Leroy Sane for Tottenham clash this
Tottenham said in a statement on Tuesday (Feb 19): "We are delighted to announce that the first team squad will travel to Singapore and Shanghai as part of our pre-season tour in July in
Football: Tottenham Hotspur to play in Singapore in July pre
Mauricio Pochettino says Harry Kane is making a "fantastic" recovery and could be back in action ahead of schedule following the ankle injury he suffered last month against Manchester United. Kane was initially ruled out until March, but Spurs boss Pochettino said the England captain could feature
Deeney, Deulofeu seal Watford win at West Ham. Watford brought West Ham United's streak of Premier League success to an abrupt halt with a surprise 2-0 win at the London Stadium on Saturday.
West Ham 0-2 Watford: Troy Deeney and Gerard Deulofeu send
winner | Malaysia News is a newsreader (RSS reader) providing a summary of headlines and latest news stories disseminated in the reliable news sources from Malaysia News. Malaysia News reads latest regional, national and local headlines in English and Melayu.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic fails to attend training for Paris Saint
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - London Football Awards 2019 - Battersea Evolution, London, Britain - February 28, 2019.Tottenham's Son Heung-min speaks after winning the London Football Awards Premier L
Son contemplated Tottenham exit until discussion with Pochettino
Man Utd fans split on blaming De Gea or Herrera for Mustafi's Arsenal goal. and Manchester United fans didn't know whether to blame David De Gea or Ander Herrera. (@The_One_Bissaka
EPL: Tottenham blame De Gea for 1-0 defeat to Manchester
We lack rub of the green: Simeone. Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa arguing with referee Jesus Gil Manzano after he had been adjudged to have fouled Barcelona midfielder Arthur during the top
We lack rub of the green: Simeone - theworldnews.net
Marcus Rashford in form of life, Football News & Top Stories
Football: Klopp relaxed about Salah's Liverpool drought
SINGAPORE - Former Football Association of Singapore (FAS) general secretary Winston Lee withdrew his candidacy for one of nine seats on the executive committee members of the Asian Football
Football: Ex-FAS general secretary Winston Lee withdraws
0 comments:
Post a Comment