Atletico Madrid 1 Leicester 0

[Guest the fox]

Riyad "gave the ball too many times" mahrez apparently was dispossessed 0 times while okazaki and albrighton got dispossessed 2 times, and drinky, wait for it.......6 times. mahrez dribbled 4 times and lost 5 (those are the balls that he gave away (second highest dribbler in the match, the 3rd place had 1)), I'm all for criticising players, but don't just throw them under the buss because you feel like it.

[STUHILL]

Disappointed with the penalty and the referee in general but I do think Atletico would have pushed harder all game to get that 1 goal if they hadn't got the penalty, so 1-0 was probably the right result in the end. The ref was poor all game I think and was influenced by a dirty Simeone and the home crowd. 

 

As for our performance, I was frustrated we didn't look to pass it a little more. We were a little intimidated I felt but we defended heroically and the few times we did pass it or get crosses into the box, we looked dangerous. I think we really do have a chance of scoring for a set play or cross in the home leg. 

 

I thought Drinkwater was very poor. He was caught in possession many times and barely strung any passes together. I thought Mahrez also struggled and I would have liked to have seen Gray. I do think he did his fair share of defensive work though and he was doubled and sometimes tripled up on at times, so it was difficult for him. I still expected better though.

 

I thought Okazaki was also poor and credit to Shakey for changing it. Did King touch the ball though? Another disappearing act from him.

 

Very difficult match for Vardy as he was completely isolated and I have never seen such a professional defensive job done on him before. Their CB's were very impressive.

 

Benny, Huth and Albrighton were by far our best players and we defended incredibly well. That performance 2nd half from Benny is one of the best I have seen from any CB we have had. He reads the game so well. I don't know what happened to him against Everton but to play tonight against one of the best teams in the world after only playing a handful of games in the last 2 seasons, was truly exceptional.

 

Albrighton... I will never doubt you again! 

 

Special mention for Shakey for what was a very decent tactical switch at half time. He got it spot on. I would have liked to have seen Gray for Mahrez but I understand him being cautious as a 1-0 wasn't a disaster. 

[DJ Barry Hammond]

6 minutes ago, danfox76 said:

what difference does it make if its Athletico or Rotherham? it dosen't stop you pressing and closing down the opponent ... we should have pressed them when they had the ball like we did to Liverpool a few games ago... instead we let them do it to us, we gave them way to much time on the ball and they gave us none.. i think it is you that doesn't understand football... although i will admit when we did press them they did get very lucky with the second balls and rebounds finding their men.

 

There are slightly different dynamics involved in pressing a just below elite level English side at home and a well versed elite level Spanish side away from home. 

 

[RGFox]

Post match talksh!te fat jason cundy saying today's result not great. He's so biased against us it's unreal. Ok so we didn't  get an away goal, we still have a decent chance at home.

 

He's talking like we been done 3-0 ...

[Suzie the Fox]

Curious to know why he didnt sub on Gray though.. I mean in worse case scenario it would have brought on fresher legs? And without being mean he would surely have done a better job than Drinkwater? 

 

Also if Wes is not recovered (hoping he will be) who will we be putting in replacement for Huth.. Has Was been named in squad???? 

 

 

[holyfox]

39 minutes ago, yorkie1999 said:

Good result, we can beat these , greizman is not a world class player if king can take him out the game but as fans we've got to make it as intimidating as possible for them, no more of this friendly matey matey crap with their fans , tell them to F off if they try to be matey. Eggs and water bombs when their team bus turns up. 

Mate. Chucking eggs and water bombs and drawing negative attention to the club is hardly going to help the lads. If we can matcha or beat the atmosphere of the Sevilla home leg no matter how the game is going, that will boost the lads to do their thing on the pitch. 

[jayfox26]

3 minutes ago, DJ Barry Hammond said:

 

I'm hoping their own natural mentality could end up counting against them in the second leg and they end up inviting us onto them, giving us a chance we wouldn't possibly have if they attack us.

 

If it's 0-0 after 60 minutes, i' sure they'll start reversing the bus which could potentially be our best chance of getting through. I think we will need to be very patient and keep in mind that we may need to take the tie it into extra time in order to win. 

 

 

 

 

Definitely. Patience will be key as we don't want to throw everything at them as they will pick us off on the counter and if they get an away goal it will make it very tough. If we keep it 0-0 till half time and then get a little more adventurous 2nd half. Like you say, we may need extra time and maybe pens. Just hope another refereeing decision doesn't cost us! Seems to be the norm when we play Atletico

[49er]

Before the game, I suggested that if Sevilla were the equivalent of Everton, then Athletico were a bit like Liverpool. I was criticized by one poster in particular who considers Griezmann to be 'world class'. I didn't see anything in his performance this evening that suggested he deserves such an accolade. Good player - yes, top star - no.

 

Has to be one of our best ever defensive performances. Apart from the penalty and the shot from Koke that hit the post, what else did they create?

 

Benny was superb - he made me eat my words. Huth was massive. The tactical change worked in bringing King on, although he didn't contribute very much. 

 

Disappointing to lose Huth for the return. If Morgan is not fit,  I would go with Fuchs and Chilwell at left back.

 

In terms of Madrid, Carrasco, who I thought was their danger, did very little. Same applies to Saul, whom I've been impressed with in the recent games I have watched. I think they are vulnerable at the back - just need to get the ball out to Vardy and Mahrez quicker.

 

If we can score the first goal, I think they may crumble at the KP.

[Suzie the Fox]

1 minute ago, RGFox said:

Post match talksh!te fat jason cundy saying today's result not great. He's so biased against us it's unreal. Ok so we didn't  get an away goal, we still have a decent chance at home.

 

He's talking like we been done 3-0 ...

 

No that was Barcelona  

[Blue ROI]

1-0 to atletico is about right. 

 

Could have got a penalty but could have easily conceded another.They balance each other out. 

 

Defended very well against a well drilled side. Their class and how they controlled the ball (apart from the Torres moment) was impressive at times but the lads certainly didn't disgrace themselves. A bit disappointing we didnt carry a greater attacking threat but easier said than done. They weren't as naive as Sevilla. 

 

Its in their favor still but hopefully we'll respond at home.

 

 

 

[danfox76]

we are premier league champions.. 

2 minutes ago, DJ Barry Hammond said:

 

There are slightly different dynamics involved in pressing a just below elite level English side at home and a well versed elite level Spanish side away from home. 

 

we're premier league champions.. we did that by pressing forcing mistakes and hitting on the break... we should play our game whoever is in front of us.

[DJ Barry Hammond]

1 minute ago, jayfox26 said:

Definitely. Patience will be key as we don't want to throw everything at them as they will pick us off on the counter and if they get an away goal it will make it very tough. If we keep it 0-0 till half time and then get a little more adventurous 2nd half. Like you say, we may need extra time and maybe pens. Just hope another refereeing decision doesn't cost us! Seems to be the norm when we play Atletico

 

Indeed... maybe have a go first 15 minutes with the crowd up for it, but in a way, we as fans don't want to be too concerned if we don't score early so long as we don't concede.

 

I see scoring late in the game to tie it up and then taking it through to extra time as our best chance. 

[Rocket-Ron]

2 minutes ago, Suzie the Fox said:

Curious to know why he didnt sub on Gray though.. I mean in worse case scenario it would have brought on fresher legs? And without being mean he would surely have done a better job than Drinkwater? 

 

Also if Wes is not recovered (hoping he will be) who will we be putting in replacement for Huth.. Has Was been named in squad???? 

 

 

Had we gone 2 down Gray would have come on for sure. Whilst it's still 1-0 and not giving them a sniff in the second half I can totaly understand not bringing Gray on.

[worthosoriginals]

22 minutes ago, orangecity23 said:

Great effort from the lads, very proud of the team and delighted its all to play for in the second leg.

 

Can't shake the sickening feeling in my stomach though, to be watching history repeat itself 20 years on. That was an absolutely appalling refereeing display, he's 100% got to be out to fix it tonight. That penalty wasn't even close to being in the box. Complete lack of bookings for Atletico, even when they are mowing down Mahrez from behind. Every single opportunity to give them a free kick was taken. If the block on Mahrez was made at the other end of the pitch it would have been given as a penalty, no doubts about that. He's looked for it, but he's beaten his man and there's clearly been contact, instigated by the defender. Some of the free kick decisions in open play were absolutely inexplicable, the body check on Okazaki outside the box, Mahrez winning the ball clearly in the second half but being blown up, not to mention the Vardy 'phantom' push in the first half, where he has apparently pushed a defender without moving his arms. To top it all off, on two separate occasions when we were breaking, the ref has managed to run into the way of our player on the ball. Very snide and sneaky performance for me, done everything possible to help Madrid, but tried to be subtle about it by not giving any red cards and waited for his 'honest' mistake to give a pen.

 

Finally, seeing one of our coaches get sent off for being outside the technical area, then to immediately see a shot of that scumbag Simeone outside his box constantly immediately afterwards is just a clear indication that we were playing to a different set of rules to the hosts.

 

I think we can expect that Uefa will have managed to dig out another 'quality' official for the second leg, so we have to be on his back from the first whistle. Atletico have demonstrated that they will cheat in every possible way to win, so we have to create our own vociferous atmosphere to put pressure on these corrupt officials, so we can have at least have a chance of a level playing field.

Those  padded Brown envelopes can work wonders eh?

[stripeyfox]

It is still going to be exceptionally hard to go through. It is more or less essential to keep a clean sheet since conceding just one goal on Tuesday means we need to score three in normal time.

[DJ Barry Hammond]

Just now, danfox76 said:

we are premier league champions.. 

we're premier league champions.. we did that by pressing forcing mistakes and hitting on the break... we should play our game whoever is in front of us.

We didn't play that way all season - we adjusted approach as it went on to ensure we got the results we needed. We started to become meaner at the back and more disciplined defensively. The early seasons pressing was a bit more erratic and for example, got found out at home against Arsenal where we conceded 5 (my that feels a long time ago).

 

At this level, being tactically fleixble to ensure you don't expose your weakness is equally as important as pressing your strength. 

 

Additionally - it's a lot easier to press (and try to dominate a game) with your home support behind you. 

[fuchsntf]

11 minutes ago, 49er said:

Before the game, I suggested that if Sevilla were the equivalent of Everton, then Athletico were a bit like Liverpool. I was criticized by one poster in particular who considers Griezmann to be 'world class'. I didn't see anything in his performance this evening that suggested he deserves such an accolade. Good player - yes, top star - no.

 

Has to be one of our best ever defensive performances. Apart from the penalty and the shot from Koke that hit the post, what else did they create?

 

Benny was superb - he made me eat my words. Huth was massive. The tactical change worked in bringing King on, although he didn't contribute very much. 

 

Disappointing to lose Huth for the return. If Morgan is not fit,  I would go with Fuchs and Chilwell at left back.

 

In terms of Madrid, Carrasco, who I thought was their danger, did very little. Same applies to Saul, whom I've been impressed with in the recent games I have watched. I think they are vulnerable at the back - just need to get the ball out to Vardy and Mahrez quicker.

 

If we can score the first goal, I think they may crumble at the KP.

AM...dont do crumble, so dont expect anything but a fight till the end...

[fazzyfox]

The more the media talk about how expert Athletico are at narrow two leg wins and how they can get the 0-0 they need the more confident I feel. I don't care who we're against, repeat that Seville performance and atmosphere and we're capable of a 2-0 win, I'd be much more worried about an open game where away goals cost us. As long as we get them rattled early on and get the adrenalin pumping it won't fizzle out. Hope for a proper ref and get running at them then make the most ofany set  pieces. If I really thought the dodgy pen was to be the only goal I'd be on the phone to Talk Sport / Five Live / Theresa May right now but my gut instinct is that it won't be and that we can do it.

[HighPeakFox]

Was at the game. It's difficult to press trousers in this heat, and against such accomplished footballers. Vardy had no chance, he did well to avoid the same fate as Huth. Very proud of them all. 

[Hammo]

Left with a strange feeling after that. Job done in terms of the result, but so limited going forward with Mahrez and Drinkwater (our two most creative players) so hopelessly out of form. In fact, it was their wastefulness in possession that launched most of Atletico's attacks. Mahrez in particular was a liability in that respect.

 

We defended really well as a unit, especially in the second half, with Kasper hardly tested. However, I thought Atletico were as happy with the 1-0 as we were and played within themselves, which makes me think they have control of this tie unless we can do something to frighten them early on at the King Power.

 

I'm thrilled that we are still in the tie - despite that dreadful referee, who was outrageously biased to Atletico. The penalty decision was scandalous.

 

Great effort tonight, lads, but we'll need a lot more in attack next week. This is doable. Let's go and do it!

[49er]

Just now, fuchsntf said:

AM...dont do crumble, so dont expect anything but a fight till the end...

Agree that it won't be easy, but we have a chance. I have to say I was underwhelmed by them tonight. In recent years, I have admired their tenacity and the underdog tag that they have playing second fiddle to Real, but didn't see anything particularly convincing. Same sort of feeling I had about Sevilla - apparently a really great team (according to the media hype) but were, frankly, mediocre

[Legend_in_blue]

Their over confidence in thinking that a 1-0 will suffice at home will ultimately be their downfall.

 

This suits us, we're on the back foot. 

[TAFKA Castroneves]

We're still in it so i'm delighted, not going to let the ref bring me down as 1-0 when playing against 12 men for 90 minutes isn't bad at all

 

Some individual performances were not 100% there, Drinky and Mahrez in particular - Simpson had shaky spells as well - however those lads will be better at home infront of our lot so i'm not too worried by that - and also i don't want to be overcritical of them, can't fault Mahrez or Drinky's effort despite them not being up to their best.

 

Mahrez needs to start next week, he and Vardy are the guys who can win us freekicks higher up the pitch, Mahrez has made a competition of doing just that - and thats something we need to utilize at home if we can beat them, we'll never outplay them so we got to use every trick we have got, we even did this tonight and it kept them from too many periods of flowing dominance, broke the game up, don't undervalue that. I'd play Mahrez based off the fact he's capable of winning us a pen more than Gray - who's more likely to take on the shot outside the box when Riyad will drive into the box.

 

All to play for next week, exciting times!

[Mad Dog]

Our game plan worked perfectly; Kasper didn't make a save of note, and they managed to nick a goal through an atrocious penalty decision - honestly, can barely remember a worse one. Sure, some are open to interpretation, was there contact - but this was an absolute stone wall decision, it was outside of the box by a mile in football terms. If we'd nicked one (penalty for Mahrez could have been given, Okazaki could have poked that cross home) we'd be in dreamland.

 

I fear this might be a bridge too far though. We have to keep a clean sheet at home, have to - concede and it's a dead tie. Praying Wes is back and fresh.

[STUHILL]

21 minutes ago, 49er said:

Before the game, I suggested that if Sevilla were the equivalent of Everton, then Athletico were a bit like Liverpool. I was criticized by one poster in particular who considers Griezmann to be 'world class'. I didn't see anything in his performance this evening that suggested he deserves such an accolade. Good player - yes, top star - no.

 

Has to be one of our best ever defensive performances. Apart from the penalty and the shot from Koke that hit the post, what else did they create?

 

Benny was superb - he made me eat my words. Huth was massive. The tactical change worked in bringing King on, although he didn't contribute very much. 

 

Disappointing to lose Huth for the return. If Morgan is not fit,  I would go with Fuchs and Chilwell at left back.

 

In terms of Madrid, Carrasco, who I thought was their danger, did very little. Same applies to Saul, whom I've been impressed with in the recent games I have watched. I think they are vulnerable at the back - just need to get the ball out to Vardy and Mahrez quicker.

 

If we can score the first goal, I think they may crumble at the KP.

Griezmann is world class.