Sports
Griezmann, Morata grab brace as Atletico thrash 10-man Celtic
Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata both struck twice to help thrash 10-man Celtic 6-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday, sending the Spaniards top in Group E.
Atletico made a strong start and Griezmann opened the scoring in the sixth minute, slotting in a low shot from the edge of the box.
Celtic were then reduced to 10 men when forward Daizen Maeda received a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Atletico defender Mario Hermoso in the 23rd minute.
Some fine saves from Celtic’s veteran goalkeeper Joe Hart from close-range efforts kept them in the game and the visitors almost found a shock equaliser in the 28th minute.
Atletico keeper Jan Oblak made a stunning one-handed save to deny what would have been a comical own-goal by Morata as he attempted to clear a corner from inside Atletico’s six-yard box.
Morata made amends in added time before the break, when Griezmann found Jose Maria Gimenez with a brilliant cross from the right touchline to the far corner and he headed it to the Spain captain to tap in.
Player of the match Griezmann than scored the third with an acrobatic volley in the 60th minute and substitute Samuel Lino netted the fourth with a fine curling strike into the top left corner six minutes later.
Morata blasted home an unstoppable strike from a rebound in the 76th minute and Saul Niguez wrapped up the scoring from close-range in the 85th.
“Sure, the red card gave us an advantage, but we had started the game on top, scored early, something that we were having difficulties doing lately,” Griezmann told Movistar Plus.
“We need to continue like this. With respect to our opponents, we tried to play as well as we could, score as many goals as we could and not do anything stupid or disrespectful.”
Atletico went top in Group E on eight points with two games remaining, one point ahead of second-placed Lazio who beat Feyenoord 1-0 on Tuesday.
The Dutch side are third on six points with Celtic bottom on one point.
Chuba Akpom is expected to leave Eredivisie giants Ajax Amsterdam at the end of the season.
Akpom joined the former European champions from Sky Bet Championship club, Middlesbrough last summer.
The 28-year-old has, however, struggled for regular time at the club and has been linked with a return to England.
According to Ajax insider, Lentin Goodijk, the Nigerian-born striker could leave the club before the start of next season.
“I don’t think he will accept sitting on the bench. Certainly not if serious clubs come for him, which I expect,” Goodijk was quoted as saying by Soccernews.
“It could easily take until August when the Premier League clubs start to panic a bit. Then they all have it on the list. If he can be picked up for €15m.
“That is absolutely nothing for Premier League clubs.”
Massimiliano Allegri has been dismissed by Juventus just two days after steering the team to victory in the Italian Cup.
Recall that the Turin club triumphed over Atalanta 1-0 in Rome, with Dusan Vlahovic securing an early goal.
However, Allegri’s behaviour marred the celebrations as he was ejected for ranting at match officials and dismissing the sporting director.
The Italian Football Federation’s disciplinary tribunal has since opened an investigation into Allegri’s conduct.
On Friday, Juventus officially announced Allegri’s departure in a statement via their website.
“Juventus announces that it has relieved Massimiliano Allegri of his position as head coach of the men’s first team,” Juventus’ statement partly read.
“The club wishes Massimiliano Allegri good luck in his future endeavours.”
LaLiga has revealed the shortlist for their upcoming end-of-season awards ceremony, which includes four categories and the team of the season.
The winners will be announced on May 28 at the KAFD Globe Soccer European Awards in Sardinia.
Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham are among the favourites for the Player of the Year award, but Girona also has two nominees, with Artem Dovbyk and Aleix Garcia in the running.
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid are also shortlisted for the prestigious award, with Takefusa Kubo, Kirian Rodriguez, Isco, and Alexander Sorloth in the mix.
The Young Player of the Year award has nominees under the age of 23 and is dominated by Girona and Barcelona. Among the candidates are newcomers Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal, along with Miguel Gutierrez, Savio, and Yan Couto from Barcelona. Kubo and Rodrygo from Real Madrid, Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis, Javi Guerra from Valencia, and Nico Williams from Athletic Club are also named.
For Goal of the Season, there are eight nominees, including Vinicius, Joao Cancelo, Saul Coco, Aitor Ruibal, Jesus Areso, Lamine Yamal, Joao Felix, and Memphis Depay.
The Coach of the Year award is the final category, with Carlo Ancelotti, Michel Sanchez, Diego Simeone, Ernesto Valverde, and Marcelino Garcia Toral all nominated.
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