Atletico Madrid experienced a devastating 4-0 loss to Benfica in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. The Spanish team struggled throughout the match, with Benfica dominating from start to finish. Diego Simeone’s squad, known for their resilience, appeared out of form, leaving their fans disappointed as they failed to mount any real threat.
Benfica’s Strong Start
Benfica started the game with confidence and quickly found the back of the net. In the 13th minute, Kerem Akturkoglu opened the scoring for the Portuguese side. Atletico’s defense failed to clear a high press from Fredrik Aursnes, who set up Akturkoglu for a clinical finish past Jan Oblak. This early goal stunned Atletico, who were unable to regain their composure.
Despite their best efforts, Atletico barely threatened Benfica’s goal in the first half. Their only real chance came when Samuel Lino’s cross hit the crossbar, but it seemed more accidental than a deliberate shot on target. Benfica continued to push forward, and Vangelis Pavlidis nearly doubled their lead when his shot clipped the post just before halftime.
Second Half Collapse
In a desperate attempt to turn things around, Diego Simeone made three substitutions at the break, bringing on Alexander Sorloth and Conor Gallagher. Unfortunately for Atletico, the changes had little effect. In the 50th minute, Gallagher fouled Pavlidis in the box, leading to a penalty. Angel Di Maria calmly converted the spot-kick, sending Oblak the wrong way and extending Benfica’s lead to 2-0.
Atletico seemed unable to recover from this setback. Di Maria nearly scored again just minutes later but was denied by Oblak. However, Benfica wasn’t done. In the 75th minute, Alexander Bah rose above Atletico’s defense to head home a corner, making it 3-0. This goal sealed Atletico’s fate, as their hopes of a comeback vanished.
A Humiliating Defeat
To make matters worse for Atletico, they conceded a second penalty in the dying moments of the match. Orkun Kokcu stepped up and fired home Benfica’s fourth goal, completing the rout. Atletico Madrid had no answer to Benfica’s relentless attack, and the final whistle confirmed their heaviest defeat in recent European competitions.
This 4-0 loss marks a new low for Atletico Madrid, who have won only one of their last 10 Champions League away games. Simeone’s team is known for their strong defense and fighting spirit, but they showed neither in Lisbon.
Simeone’s Reaction
After the match, Diego Simeone was candid in his assessment of the performance. Speaking to Movistar, he admitted, “They were better than us in every moment. We made too many mistakes, and they capitalized on every one.” Simeone expressed his frustration with the lack of fight from his players, adding, “This was our worst game of the season, without question.”
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak echoed his manager’s sentiments, acknowledging that Atletico Madrid did not compete as they should have. “There’s no excuse for what happened tonight,” Oblak said. “We didn’t start well, and we never recovered. We can’t afford performances like this at this level.”
Benfica’s Efficient Play
Benfica, on the other hand, was thrilled with their performance. The Portuguese side has now won both of their opening Champions League matches and sits comfortably at the top of their group. Their high-pressing game caused Atletico problems from the start, and they were clinical in front of goal.
Bruno Lage, Benfica’s manager, praised his team for their work ethic and discipline. “We executed our game plan perfectly,” Lage said. “We knew Atletico would try to sit deep and counterattack, so we pressed high and forced them into mistakes. Our players were fantastic.”
What’s Next for Atletico?
This defeat leaves Atletico Madrid in a difficult position in their Champions League group. With just one point from their first two matches, they will need to improve significantly if they hope to progress to the knockout stages. Their next European fixture will be against French side Lille, who recently beat defending champions Real Madrid. It will be a crucial match for Simeone’s team as they return to their home ground, the Wanda Metropolitano.
Conclusion: A Lesson for Atletico
Atletico Madrid’s humiliating 4-0 defeat to Benfica serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the Champions League. Simeone’s men were outplayed and outfought, and they will need to regroup quickly. With several tough fixtures ahead, including their upcoming clash with Lille, Atletico must find their form if they hope to remain competitive in Europe.
This performance showed a side of Atletico Madrid that fans rarely see: a lack of fight and defensive fragility. If they are to salvage their Champions League campaign, major improvements will be required, starting with a much-needed win in their next match. Stay updated with the latest from IPL365.
