SAN FRANCISCO, November 03, (THEWILL) – Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone cut a frustrated figure as his charges were held 1-1 at Lokomotiv Moscow in the UEFA Champions League Group A Round 3 tie on Tuesday.
Jose Gimenez, the Uruguayan centre back, made the breakthrough for Simeone’s team in the 18th minute. Mexican Hector Herrera crossed from the left with precision to pick out the run of the Uruguay into the penalty box. The latter leapt into the air and directed a clean header into the bottom-left corner.
Then, Lokomotiv were awarded a penalty in the 22nd minute when a ball into the box brushed Herrera’s right arm. French referee Benoit Bastien after VAR review pointed to the spot. The decision so angered Luis Suarez, he was booked for his protests.
Russian winger Anton Miranchuk took charge of the spot kick and slotted into the left, sending Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak diving the other way.
Argentine midfielder Angel Correa struck the Lokomotiv crossbar with a 20-yard shot, before Suarez sent a volley too high, as Atletico went in search of the lead.
Suarez went close with a header from a tight angle early in the second half, before Portuguese centre forward Joao Felix was denied a wonder-goal from 25 yards out by Guilherme, in goal for Lokomotiv.
He denied Joao Felix again, tipping over his powerful header, before Spanish central midfielder Koke hit the bar, with a thumping header of his own. Suarez tapped in as the ball rebounded out but had strayed offside by that time. It was not their night.
Backed by home supporters, Lokomotiv clung on at the end. They needed a win to keep their UCL campaign alive but, they will have to settle with one point after surviving the late flurry of attacks from an Atletico side determined to win the tie.
Atletico came into this game, which was watched by around 8,000 spectators, after beginning their Group A campaign with a 4-0 defeat at Bayern Munich and a 3-2 victory over Salzburg. A victory here would have done their chances much good but they leave with just a point.
Atletico next face Cadiz in La Liga on Saturday, their last game before the international break. Lokomotiv have a derby clash with Dinamo Moscow ahead of them on Sunday.
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