Madrid: Atletico Madrid face a nerve-wracking final game to ensure they reach the Champions League knockout stage after they could only draw 1-1 at home to a much-changed Bayern Munich side on Tuesday following a late penalty from Thomas Mueller.
Joao Felix gave them the lead in the 26th minute after he knocked in a cross from Marcos Llorente in the near post. Diego Simeone’s side played without Luis Suarez and Diego Costa and were unable to add to their lead against holders Bayern until the match ended.
Muller scored the late equaliser from the spot on 86 minutes beating goalkeeper Jan Oblak after being fouled in the penalty area by defender Felipe Augusto. This was Atleti’s third consecutive draw in Group A. They are currently second in the group with six points and to qualify for the round of 16, they have to avoid defeat in their final game at RB Salzburg, who are sitting right behind them at third position, with four points.
“We played a great game, a good first half, we could have been further ahead than 1-0. I think the team was good until 15-20 minutes into the second half,” Simeone said post-match. “They got the penalty and we got a draw that keeps us alive for the game with Salzburg.”
“Being clinical will come, with calm, and repetition of situations in the box. We improved today in terms of assists in the box. I think we’re improving in the box and let’s hope we’re clinical in the defining moments like next Wednesday,” he further added.
“We are feeling angry and frustrated because we have drawn because of a penalty and we leave here with an awful taste in our mouths,” Llorente told the media. “Bayern are a great team but we did more than enough to win.”
