Atletico Madrid Vs Porto: A Boring Chance Dry Match
JAKARTA - Atletico Madrid and Porto shared points in the Champions League Group B match which lasted 0-0 and ended 0-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Spain, Wednesday local time.
The statistics on the official UEFA website show that there were only a total of 11 attempted shots during the match, six for Atletico and five for Porto.
The match actually looked open in the first 15 minutes and the hosts came close to taking the lead when Thomas Lemar sent a clever pass which Luis Suarez tried to finish but goalkeeper Diogo Costa managed to keep the ball safe.
Nothing to separate Atlético & Porto in Madrid. Fair result?#UCL pic.twitter.com/hn12xb5ifB
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 15, 2021
Porto threatened again when Atletico's back line failed to anticipate a sharp cross sent by Jesus Corona, unfortunately Mehdi Taremi in an uncomfortable finishing position so his shot deviated from the target.
In the 15th minute, the visitors threatened again with Otavio's corner but Marko Grujic's close-range header flew just over the bar.
After that, the match lasted minimal chances until the first half ended in goalless position.
The second half was a bit more exciting, with the hosts using a lot of players to attack and forcing Costa to make a brilliant save in the 69th minute to deny Angel Correa's low shot in front of goal.
️ Griezmann back in Madrid for Atlético...#UCL pic.twitter.com/XKKHw2e7HH
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 15, 2021
Drama ensued in the 80th minute as Taremi appeared to have broken the deadlock as he cut through Renan Lodi's cross and outwitted goalkeeper Jan Oblak in a one-on-one situation.
However, VAR spoiled the joy of the Porto players by annulling the goal after replays showed Taremi's hand briefly hit the ball before crossing the goal line.
A minute before the normal dispersal, Porto again almost stole the win when Chancel Mbembea stood free to meet Sergio Oliveira's free kick, unfortunately his header was not clean and the ball ended up off the side of the goal.
In the fifth minute of injury time, Mbemba made a tactical foul to stop Antoine Griezmann's movement not far from the penalty box and the Porto defender was immediately shown a red card by the referee.
The result of the free kick was executed by Suarez, who came close to winning Atletico, unfortunately the ball was still flying thinly over the crossbar and the game ended goalless.
In the second match of Group B on September 28, Atletico will travel to the San Siro to face AC Milan and Porto host Liverpool at the Dragao.