they could be overtaken by Benfica at the top of
Champions League Group C
Atletico Madrid were held to a surprise 0-0 draw by a
spirited Astana side in Tuesday's Champions League clash
at the Astana Arena.
Diego Simeone's side held top spot heading into Group C's
early kick-off and could have pulled three points ahead of
Benfica with victory in Kazakhstan.
Koke struck the woodwork in both halves but Atletico toiled
too often in possession against a well-disciplined home side.
Fernando Torres - chasing his 100th Atleti goal - also
spurned a good chance and Antoine Griezmann came close
in the second half, but Astana held on for a famous point
which keeps alive their hopes of at least battling for a
Europa League spot by finishing third.
Astana, in their maiden Champions League campaign, now
have two points from their four matches following a 2-2
home draw with Galatasary on matchday two.
Tiago came close early on for Atletico with a blocked effort
inside the area but Astana, roared on by a vociferous home
crowd, denied them any real rhythm in the opening 25
minutes.
Junior Kabananga's scuffed volley from 20 yards forced Jan
Oblak into a save but chances were few and far between in
the opening half-hour, until Torres stole in behind Evgeny
Postnikov following Juanfran's long ball and prodded wide
across goal.
Koke looped an effort onto the crossbar with a free-kick just
before half-time but Atletico otherwise struggled to find a
way past a stubborn home side.
Diego Godin glanced a header straight into Nenad Eric's
hands and Tiago dragged a shot wide from 20 yards as
Atletico began to turn up the pressure after the interval.
Simeone threw on Jackson Martinez in an effort to break
through a robust defensive line but Atletico's build-up play
on the synthetic turf was too often laboured or undone by
wayward passes.
Griezmann, who had been quiet throughout, fizzed a low
shot just wide of the far post after a neat one-two with Koke,
before the Spain midfielder almost got lucky with a looped
cross from the left that bounced off the top of the bar.
Eric saved down low from Jose Gimenez's header as Atleti
began to push further forward as Astana legs grew tired, and
the 2013-14 finalists almost snatched the victory with the
last kick of the game, as Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco collected
Griezmann's cross and shot across goal, only for the
goalkeeper to claim well low to his left.
But Astana held on for a famous point and restored some
pride following their 4-0 defeat in Madrid on matchday
three.
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