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Atleti’s Champions League start

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Atleti’s Champions League start
Atleti’s Champions League start
Atleti’s Champions League start

Wednesday night’s opponents Atletico Madrid began their Champions League campaign with a 3-2 away defeat at the hands of Olympiacos in mid-September.

Heading into the game as strong favourites following last year’s sensational run to the final hurdle, Diego Simeone’s side found themselves with a mountain to climb as first Arthur Masuaku then Ibrahim Afellay shot the hosts into a two-goal lead with just 31 minutes played.

However, summer acquisition Mario Mandzukic immediately reduced the arrears when he headed Cristian Ansaldi’s cross beyond Roberto to lay the foundations for a second-half assault on Olympiacos’ goal.

Yet, despite twice going close through substitute Antoine Griezmann, it was in fact the hosts who re-established their two-goal cushion, Kostas Mitroglou lashing past Jan Oblak on 73 minutes to break his ten-month barren spell in front of goal.

There was still more drama to come though, as Griezmann set up a thrilling finale by getting the goal his efforts merited with four minutes of normal time remaining.

But Olympiacos held on in spite of heavy Atletico pressure, enabling Miguel’s men to see in their Champions League campaign with a flourish.

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