Payet’s agony as Atletico run riot
FRANCE playmaker Dimitri Payet faces World Cup heartache after departing the Europa League final in tears during Marseille’s thrashing by Atletico Madrid. Payet (right) — who went on strike at West Ham to seal a return to Marseille — had been a doubtful starter because of a thigh injury and he was forced off midway through the first half, shortly after his side had gone 1-0 behind to an Antoine Griezmann strike. The France squad is announced today. Marseille boss Rudi Garcia said: ‘Losing our captain made things more complicated. It was obviously a big issue. We hoped he would be 100 per cent, but he was apprehensive. He was not sure he could play freely and hit powerful shots.’ For Diego Costa, another
enfant terrible in the Premier League’s recent history, this was a night of vindication as he claimed a trophy from a campaign that began with him hiding out in his Brazilian hometown of Lagarto following a bust-up with Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. Atletico doubled their lead when Griezmann put the final touch to a sublime move by dinking over Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda. Barcelona are poised to step up their pursuit of Griezmann, so this may well have been the perfect farewell gift. Griezmann said: ‘Now isn’t the time to talk about my future. I need to enjoy the present. It was a dream of mine to win this with the team and with Diego Simeone. He has taught me a lot.’ Atletico, who won the competition for the third time in nine years, put the seal on their victory when captain Gabi rifled home late on. Simeone, who watched from the stands as he served a touchline ban, said: ‘It was sad for me to spend the final in the stands, it was a lonely final.’