Madrid, Apr 13 (AFP) Antoine Griezmann’s penalty handed Atletico Madrid a slender 1-0 advantage over Leicester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
In a game of very few chances, Griezmann proved decisive as it was he who also won the penalty with a lung-busting run from well inside his own half before being brought down by Marc Albrighton midway through the first half yesterday.
The French international put his previous penalty demons behind him to convert from the spot and put Atletico in the driving seat for a third semi-final in four seasons.
However, Leicester still have reason to believe their dream run on their first appearance in the Champions League can continue when the sides meet again on April 18.
And manager Craig Shakespeare claimed his side were undone by referee Jonas Eriksson as he believed Griezmann was fouled outside the area.
“I think we were hard done by,” said Shakespeare.
“I think it is one of the major decisions in the game. It is a definite foul but it is outside the box.”
Atletico coach Diego Simeone lamented his side’s inability to kill the tie, but lauded Leicester’s defensive effort.
“Maybe we lacked a clinical finish,” said the Argentine.
“After the 1-0 Leicester defended very well, sat deep, waited for a counter-attack and we couldn’t create more chances.
“They bet everything on the second leg.”
The behaviour of Leicester’s travelling fans was in the spotlight after 10 were arrested in violent clashes with police on Tuesday night and yesterday before kick-off.
However, the 3,000 travelling supporters high in the rafters of the Calderon were largely silenced by Atletico’s dominance of the match.
Unusually for Simeone’s men they were in almost complete control of possession, but largely limited to shots from long range.
Koke came closest from distance when he drilled an effort off the outside of the post after just five minutes.
Yannick Carrasco then slashed wildly at a volley when well-placed at the back post.
Griezmann and Saul Niguez were next to take aim from outside the box, but both failed to find the target with powerful drives that flew over Kasper Schmeichel’s goal.
– Griezmann flattened –
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Leicester had been enjoying their best spell of the half when suddenly they were caught short-handed at the back on 27 minutes.
Griezmann collected the ball outside his own area and ran to just inside the Leicester box before being crudely barged over by Albrighton.
Schmeichel had saved a penalty in each of Leicester’s two legs against Sevilla in the last 16 and Griezmann had missed his last four for Atletico, including in last season’s Champions League final.
However, Griezmann sent the Dane the wrong way from the spot to register his 24th goal of the season.
Both sides seemed content to settle the tie at the King Power in six days’ time with Atletico holding a 1-0 advantage after the break.
Leicester were without captain Wes Morgan due to a back injury and his return to health will be even more important for the second leg as Robert Huth will be suspended after being booked for chopping down Griezmann.
Griezmann was the standout performer and nearly added an assist to the only goal but Angel Correa couldn’t quite stretch to reach his dangerous low cross 17 minutes from time.
Leicester, meanwhile, didn’t threaten an away goal as Atletico held out for their 18th clean sheet in 22 home Champions League games since Simeone took charge. AFP
Drogba signs for US second tier club Phoenix Rising
Los Angeles, Apr 13 (AFP) Former Ivory Coast and Chelsea star Didier Drogba has signed for US second tier team Phoenix Rising, vowing to help the club achieve its dream of entry to Major League Soccer.
A Phoenix statement said Drogba, 39, would be a member of the club’s playing staff before eventually switching to an executive role.
“I have taken my time in deciding what I wanted to do next and am really excited about the opportunity at Phoenix Rising FC,” Drogba said in a statement yesterday.
“After seeing first hand the potential for expansion of the sport in North America and getting to know the ownership group in Phoenix, I am convinced that I can help them develop their organization on and off the pitch.”
Phoenix currently play in the United Soccer League, the de facto second tier of US club football. Although there is no promotion and relegation between the USL and MLS, Phoenix is vying to become one of the top tier’s expansion teams.
Drogba’s arrival in Arizona comes after a turbulent spell with MLS side Montreal Impact came to an end last season.
The veteran’s last season in the MLS was marked by tension between the player and his club, with the nadir coming in October when he refused to be a part of the Impact’s matchday squad after learning he was not in the starting line-up.
USL President Jake Edwards welcomed Drogba’s arrival to the junior league.
“He will be a great ambassador for our sport, using his experience, talent and vision to benefit fans, as well as fellow players,” Edwards said.
“His invaluable mentorship will guide our young stars in the locker room and on the field, contributing to the future success of our league and the game for years to come.”
Former Ivory Coast captain Drogba was linked to a move to Brazilian team Corinthians earlier this year, but turned down a contract worth USD 120,000 per week.
The two-time African Footballer of the Year is best known for his two stints with Chelsea, spending eight years at Stamford Bridge after joining from Marseille in 2004, winning four Premier League titles and the 2012 Champions League.
He returned for the 2014-2015 season and has also played for Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray in Turkey. AFP