Foxes outfoxed by Griezmann’s class

Leicester’s CL dream still intact

MADRID, April 13, (RTRS): Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann demonstrated his importance to the Spanish club when his lightning pace forced a penalty that gave his side a crucial 1-0 victory over Leicester City in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.

Griezmann, who finished third in the Ballon d’Or voting last year, has carried Atletico at times this season and it was his break that set up the penalty that he then converted past Kasper Schmeichel.

It was his 24th goal of the season, five of which have come in the Champions League, the competition Atletico are desperate to win having finished as runners-up twice in three years.

“He’s a fabulous player,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said of the French international. “He’s a complete player, you don’t even know his position anymore, he’s all over the pitch.

“He’s everywhere. He can work in midfield, assist like a second striker and score like a striker.

“He’s still growing, of course, but he’s having a great end to the season

Monaco’s Fabinho (left), and Dortmund’s Shinji Kagawa challenge for the ball during the Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and AS Monaco in Dortmund, Germany, on

April 12. (AP)

and is taking responsibility in accordance with his status in the team.”

The 26-year-old, who is frequently linked with a move away from the Vicente Calderon, caused problems all over the pitch, with the Leicester defence working at full capacity to prevent him doing any more damage.

Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare said he had to tinker with his team’s set-up to shackle the dangerous forward, who Simeone has given the licence to roam.

“We made changes at half-time to control Griezmann more as he was getting too much space between the lines,” he said.

Meanwhile,

Leicester

left

the Vicente Calderon stadium with a 1-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid but their chances of reaching the Champions League semi-finals were still intact on Wednesday.

The Spanish side outplayed the English champions in their quarterfinal first leg but were only able to leave with Antoine Griezmann’s penalty to their credit.

Leicester failed to register a single shot on Jan Oblak’s goal in the entire game and only had 36 percent possession but manager Craig Shakespeare was content with his team’s performance.

Atletico’s Thomas Partey (center), jumps for the ball with Leicester’s Robert Huth (left) and Leicester’s Andy King during the Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Leicester City at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid, on

April 12. (AP)