Champions League
Astana frustrate Atletico to earn precious point
FC Astana and Atletico Madrid played out a 0-0 stalemate in Kazakhstan in the Champions League.
The first half was a scrappy affair, with few chances, but as the game progressed, Atletico got into their stride. The best chance came for Fernando Torres, when he sent a diagonal ball just wide of the post when bearing down on the 'keeper, Eric.
Before the stroke of half-time, Koke curled in a shot from the corner of the box after being awarded a free kick. It struck the post, having beaten the keeper, but looped over the goal.
In the second half, Atletico continued to dominate, and Antoine Griezmann went closest with a shot that went just wide of the far post.
That was until the last minute of the game, when Yannick Carrasco hooked a shot inside the box goalwards, and Eric dived to his left to secure a point for the home side.
KEY EVENTS
22' - CANAS HEADER - Another corner for Astana. It's swung out to Canas, and although he makes a decent connection, it's well over.
32' - TORRES CHANCE - Juanfran hits a diagonal pitch that evades the central defender and 'keeper. Torres gets in between, but he can only touch a low volley wide of the post.
45' - KOKE FREE-KICK - Koke curls a free-kick from the corner of the box towards the top corner of the goal, and it strikes the crossbar and goes over.
55' - GODIN HEADER - Corner on the left for Atletico. It's headed to Godin at the near post, and he nods down into the ground, but it's straight at Eric.
74' - GRIEZMANN EFFORT - Griezmann runs onto a through ball into the box, and drags a shot just wide of the far post.
90+3' - ERIC SAVE - Carrasco picks up a ball into the box, turns towards goal and lashes a shot. Eric stops it well.
KEY STATS
Fernando Torres has gone nine games without scoring.
This was FC Astana's second ever Champions League point.
MATCHCAST: FULL MATCH STATS AND COMMENTARY
TALKING POINT
Can Atletico Madrid go on with Fernando Torres as a striker with much success? The modus operandi of Atletico is to make the most of hard running and organisation, and plenty of other players can contribute goals in the side. However, a striker is required to score at least some goals, and as Manchester United show, having a non-scoring striker can be decisive in tight games.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Dmitri Shomko (FC Astana): On the counterattack it was through the defender that FC Astana had most of their success. He provided welcome respite from the domination of possession that Atletico had for most of the match.
PLAYER RATINGS
FC Astana: Eric 6, Ilic 6, Anicic 6, Postnikov 6, Shomko 7, Dzholchiyev 6, Maksimovic 6, Canas 6, Kethevoah 6, Muzhikov 6, Kabananga 5. Subs: Beysebekov 6, Zhukov 6, Schetkin 6.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak 6, Juanfran 6, Godin 6, Gimenez 6, Siqueira 6, Tiago 6, Gabi 6, Saul 6, Koke 6, Griezmann 6, Torres 5. Subs: Martinez 6, Carrasco 7, Torres 6.
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