Atletico Madrid out of Europe after horror CL finale
As if last week was the worst for the LaLiga clubs in European competitions, this one takes the cake easily as Atletico Madrid became the biggest name to crash out of Europe completely.
Already eliminated from competing in the Champions League, Porto went a step further and sent Diego Simeone’s side packing out of the continental football before the new year with a 2-1 home win on their final day to top Group B.
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Mehdi Taremi and Stephen Eustaquio put the two-time European champions 2-0 up at the break, with Ivan Marcano’s late own goal not enough for at least the draw they were hoping for.
Worse, Bayer Leverkusen’s goalless draw at home to Belgium’s Club Brugge saw the Bundesliga side nick the Europa League spot from the Colchoneros by way of a better head-to-head record, with both sides tied at five points in their group, leaving Atleti bottom of the group before the World Cup break.
What’s next for Atleti?
The stinging ouster from Europe will leave a bad taste in the mouth for Simeone and co., especially with their stunning loss to relegation threatened Cadiz prior to their disaster at northern Portugal.
With reality of only domestic action from this day on, there’s no sulking for the Rojiblancos, with Antoine Griezmann sending a stern warning to his teammates.
“If you can’t win a game in the group stage, that’s what you have to do. Now to squeeze your ass, shut your mouth and fight”, he said to Movistar after their exit.
Atleti will be back in LaLiga action when they host Espanyol at the Metropolitano on November 6.
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