Griezmann makes the difference: Leipzig comes away empty-handed at Atlético

RB Leipzig lost their Champions League opener at Atlético Madrid – despite an early goal by Benjamin Sesko (4th). In the 1:2 (1:1) defeat on Thursday in Madrid, Antoine Griezmann (28th) and José Giménez (90th) turned the tide in favor of the hosts.

Leipzig suffered its first defeat in 16 competitive matches. And that’s OK, because Atlético had the better chances.

“We are of course disappointed because there was something in it,” said Leipzig’s Christoph Baumgartner on DAZN. “In the end, it’s just the little things that decide. Atlético were one goal better.”

Leipzig’s Sesko with Energy efficiency

Sesko had dampened the mood of the noisy fans in the Estadio Metropolitano early on. He drove the ball forward himself during a counterattack and was lucky that his deflected pass landed on the half-right by Lois Openda. The attacker shot so hard that goalkeeper Jan Oblak could only parry the ball forward. Sesko was there with a header.

Atlético didn’t need long to get back into the game. Victor Orban and Castello Lukeba prevented the equalizer with spectacular saves, and they were very lucky when Angel Correra hit the post. The ball flew along the goal line before goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi could get to it.

Strong volley from Madrid’s Griezmann

But after just under half an hour, Atlético’s class paid off. Marcos Llorente played a precise pass from the right to Griezmann, who scored a spectacular volley from eleven meters.

The party then continued evenly until half-time. Leipzig’s back four held up better – Rose had changed after several games with a back five. It was also surprising that newcomers Arthur Vermeeren and Antonio Nusa were in the starting eleven for the first time.

Griezmann set up Atlético’s winning goal

After the break, Leipzig was initially lucky that Griezmann did not punish a mistake in the build-up play. The Frenchman had a free shot from 18 meters out and missed. Atlético continued to look more dangerous, but Leipzig defended energetically and effectively, so that there were hardly any dangerous shots. One exception was the header by substitute Leipzig player Yussuf Poulsen that narrowly missed the post (77′).

When everything looked like it would be a draw, Griezmann went one better. With a beautiful cross, he found Giménez at the far post, who headed in the late but deserved winner.

Leipzig now against Juventus Turin

Leipzig is now the favorite in the Bundesliga twice, playing against FC St. Pauli on Sunday (7.30 p.m.) and then against FC Augsburg on Saturday, September 28th at 3.30 p.m. The second Champions League matchday on October 2nd will bring Juventus Turin as guests to Leipzig (9 p.m.).

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