Report: Familiar Atlético miss out on Top 8 | OneFootball

Gigantic stumble for Atlético de Madrid at home against Bodø/Glimt, just when it was most needed to reach the Top-8. The results in other fields were favorable, but what happened at the Metropolitano was a disaster, condemning the red-and-whites to play the play-off.

The defeat against the Norwegians of Bødo/Glimt by 1-2 was a cold shower (or snow, after the storm experienced in Madrid). It is true that being in the Top-8 saves you a round and gives you more rest, but it is not the chimera that guarantees reaching the quarter-finals. Playing the round of 32, especially with the draw we will face, is not something that should keep the red-and-white fans awake at night, but the image given certainly should.

The team did not start well, with two great opportunities for the visitors to take the lead in the first five minutes. A big scare from which Atlético recovered, creating opportunities. The first in the 11th minute, with a goal disallowed for Alex Baena, after a great cross from Koke, which he headed slightly offside.

But they did not relent in their efforts and managed to score shortly after, in a very similar play, with a cross from Hancko, which Sørloth, coming in from the left side, managed to connect with a great header to make it 1-0. But that first goal did not help settle the team and achieve a second goal to secure the victory. An important nuance to this comment. The disallowed Olympic goal for Julian Álvarez, due to the referee not blowing the whistle, is highly debatable and also influences match situations.

But the truth is that the opportunities were created and not lacking, but they were not taken advantage of, and the defensive errors were exploited by the Norwegians. Half an hour in, the Norwegians pressed, caused a turnover, and Bjorkan delivered a ball to Sjovold at the penalty spot who finished with ease. After that, Atleti pressed with chances and a shot off the crossbar, but the ball did not go in, and we paid for that in the second half.

The Norwegians improved and embarrassed Atlético

The second half was not like the first in terms of clear opportunities generated. In fact, the Norwegians, in a very chaotic play, scored a goal after a million rebounds and with half of Atleti inside our own six-yard box. Rebound after rebound, the ball finally fell to Hogh, who ended up scoring the goal that would ultimately be the winner.

The fate of the match could have changed two minutes later, in a connection between Almada and Sorloth, who connected well with the header but did not direct the shot well.

There were changes in positions and pieces on the field, but without reward despite having some chances (like one from Almada that hit the side of the net), and a clear dominance that did not produce the equalizing goal.

The drought of the spider continues, Giuliano was missed (he did not participate due to indisposition), but the truth is that it must be accepted that they finished in 14th place and now it is time to wait for the draw and the confirmation of whether it will be Bruges or Galatasaray as the opponent in the next round and if it will be Liverpool or Tottenham in the round of 16. The bracket will soon be defined, but what we do know today is that the team needs reinforcements and a more defined game concept (with the reinforcements) to face the upcoming challenges (League, Cup, and of course Champions).

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.