Wenger rues ‘giving away’ edge
LONDON: A late equaliser from French striker Antoine Griezmann gave 10man Atletico Madrid a precious awaygoal advantage over Arsenal as the first leg of their Europa League semifinal at the Emirates ended 11 yesterday.
Arsenal was given a huge boost after 10 minutes when Atletico defender Sime Vrsaljko was sent off for stamping on Alexandre Lacazette’s foot, and Atletico coach Diego Simeone was sent to the stands for his furious reaction to the decision.
The Premier League side dominated possession but missed a number of clear chances, and Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak made several fine saves before Lacazette broke the deadlock in the 61st minute.
The French forward headed Jack Wilshere’s cross down into the corner of the net to give manager Arsene Wenger hope of winning a trophy in his last season at the club and taking his last chance to get the team back into the Champions League.
Atletico seized back the initiative in the 82nd minute, however, when Griezmann sped past Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny, collected his rebounded shot off keeper David Ospina and calmly lifted the ball into the roof of the net.
‘‘We come out tonight with a bitter taste,’’ Wenger told reporters after the penultimate home game of his 22year reign at Arsenal.
‘‘You have to stay 10 up and after that everything is open,’’ the Frenchman added.
‘‘We created the anticlimax by giving away the goal.’’
Wilshere also rued the missed chances for Arsenal, which is playing in its first European semifinal in nine years. Atletico has reached the Champions League final twice in the last four years and won the Europa League in 2010 and 2012.
‘‘It’s definitely not the result we wanted, but the performance was good so we have to take confidence from that and take that to the away leg. If we create chances then we’ve got to put them away,’’ Wilshere said.
The teams head to Madrid for the second leg next week when Atletico, second in Spain’s La Liga, should be able to recall talismanic striker Diego Costa who scored three times against Arsenal in six games while he was at Chelsea.
Simeone praised the courage of his players.
‘‘They are basically heroes,’’ the Argentine said.
‘‘They stood firm for 80something minutes.
‘‘The team responded to the red card with some fantastic defensive work and I think that will go down in the history of Atletico Madrid.’’
A Liverpool has requested a meeting with AS Roma officials, Uefa, security services and the Italian police to ensure the safety of fans travelling to Rome next week for the Champions League semifinal second leg.
Supporters clashed outside Anfield on Wednesday before Liverpool’s 52 win over the Serie A side in the first leg.
Two men face charges over an incident in which a man was critically injured.
Filippo Lombardi (20) was charged with violent disorder and wounding, and causing grievous bodily harm. Daniele Sciusco (29), was charged with violent disorder.
Both men, who are believed to be Roma supporters, were being kept in custody to appear at South Sefton Magistrates Court.
‘‘Liverpool have sought clarity on issues surrounding the matchday operation since the draw was made and is hoping this extraordinary meeting will provide the necessary reassurances and essential information,’’ the club said in a statement.
‘‘This, if provided, will allow the club to fully inform supporters of the measures that will be in place.’’
Liverpool plays Roma on Thursday. — Reuters
❛ We come out tonight
with a bitter taste
Arsene Wenger