Griezmann helps Atletico edge Foxes
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Antoine Griezmann's penalty handed Atletico Madrid a slender 1-0 advantage over Leicester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday.
In a game of very few chances, Griezmann proved
decisive as it was he who also won the penalty with a lung-busting run
from well inside his own half before being brought down by Marc
Albrighton midway through the first half.
The French international put his previous penalty
demons behind him to convert from the spot and put Atletico in the
driving seat for a third semifinal in four seasons.
However, Leicester still have reason to believe
their dream run on their first appearance in the Champions League can
continu
e when the sides meet again on April 18.
The behaviour of Leicester's travelling fans was in
the spotlight after 10 were arrested in violent clashes with police on
Tuesday night and Wednesday before kick-off.
However, the 3 000 travelling supporters high in
the rafters of the Calderon were largely silenced by Atletico's
dominance of the match.
Unusually for Diego Simeone's men they were in
almost complete control of possession, but largely limited to shots from
long range.
Koke came closest from distance when he drilled an effort off the outside of the post after just five minutes.
Yannick Carrasco then slashed wildly at a volley when well-placed at the back post.
Griezmann and Saul Niguez were next to take aim
from outside the box, but both failed to find the target with powerful
drives that flew over Kasper Schmeichel's goal.
GRIEZMANN FLATTENED
Leicester had been enjoying their best spell of the half when suddenly they were caught short-handed at the back on 27 minutes.
Griezmann collected the ball outside his own area
and ran to just inside the Leicester box before being crudely barged
over by Albrighton.
Schmeichel had saved a penalty in each of
Leicester's two legs against Sevilla in the last 16 and Griezmann had
missed his last four for Atletico, including in last season's Champions
League final.
However, Griezmann sent the Dane the wrong way from the spot to register his 24th goal of the season.
Both sides seemed content to settle the tie at the
King Power in six days' time with Atletico holding a 1-0 advantage after
the break.
Atletico still had the better of what few chances there were.
Fernando Torres slipped at the vital moment as he prepared to unleash a shot from the edge of the area.
Leicester were without captain Wes Morgan due to a
back injury and his return to health will be even more important for the
second leg as Robert Huth will be suspended after being booked for
chopping down Griezmann.
Griezmann was the standout performer and nearly
added an assist to the only goal but Angel Correa couldn't quite stretch
to reach his dangerous low cross 17 minutes from time.
Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare protected Jamie
Vardy from the threat of picking up a yellow card that would also have
seen him miss the return as he was replaced by Islam Slimani.
But even with a different focal point to their
attack, Leicester didn't threaten an away goal as Atletico held out for
their 18th clean sheet in 22 home Champions League games since Simeone
took charge.
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