Four Spanish Teams Record In The Champions League

JAKARTA - Atletico Madrid emerged as winners of Group E after defeating Lazio in the last match of the 2023/2024 Champions League at the Metropolitan Stadium, Thursday, December 14, 2023 in the morning WIB.

Atletico's success in making Spanish La Liga clubs set a record. Los Rojiblancos showed maximum performance while fighting for the top position with Lazio in the group's final match.

In that match, coach Diego Simeone did not field the best squad. The mainstay players, Koke and striker Alvaro Morata were benchmarked. Antoine Griezmann and Jose Maria Jimenez started during the first half.

As a result, Los Colchoneros continued to appear victorious. Griezmann and Samuel Lino's two goals led Atletico to win over Lazio.

Atletico also won the group after collecting 14 points, four points ahead of Lazio who was in second place.

Simeone was satisfied that the team could appear as group winners. According to him, the team played well in defense and attack so that the team could score goals. They also did not concede in that match.

In addition, Simeone has prepared the players well so that they can play according to the desired style.

"In my opinion, the victory in the Netherlands (against Feyennoord) was the most difficult because we faced a match that was not easy, but decisive," said Simeone.

"In this match (vs Lazio), we played compact in defense and scored. This is the key to our success in qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League."

Meanwhile, Lino, who also scored a goal, said that fans were a motivation for him and his colleagues to win the match.

"This victory is for fans who support us. The match at home is different. Here, supporters put pressure on us. This is what motivates us to play optimally," said Lino.

"We showed the best game. We also played with full energy. We are also physically ready to play according to our style," he said.

Atletico's success in making the Spanish La Liga teams set a record. All who qualify for the last 16 are group winners.

Apart from Atletico, teams such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Real Sociedad also emerged as group winners. Practically, only Sevilla as the Spanish representative failed to qualify.

Their success in making La Liga the most sent representatives to the knockout round.

Italy followed by passing three representatives, Inter Milan, Lazio, and Napoli. Likewise Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig who represented the Bundesliga.

While the others only sent one or two representatives. England passed defending champions Manchester City and Arsenal who were respectively the group's rulers.

The rest are divided equally, FC Copenhagen (Denmark), PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands), Paris Saint-German (France), and FC Porto (Portugal).

Team Qualifies For The Last 16 Of The 2023/2024 Champions League

Group A

Bayern Munich

FC Copenhagen

Group B

Arsenal

PSV Eindhoven

Group C

Real Madrid

Napoli

Group D

Real Sociedad

Inter Milan

Group E

Atletico Madrid

Lazio

Group F

Borussia Dortmund

Paris Saint-Germain

Group G

Manchester City

RB Leipzig

Group H

Barcelona

FC Porto