Carrasco spares Atleti blushes

Yannick Carrasco spared Atletico Madrid’s blushes as he proved the match-winner in Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Rostov on Wednesday.

Atleti made just the one change from their 7-1 mauling of Granada at the weekend, Fernando Torres replacing Kevin Gameiro

Like Sevilla before them, Atleti dominated possession against their similarly-Eastern hosts, seeing over 70 percent of the ball, but Rostov’s strong resistance and poor finishing limited Los Colchoneros to just seven shots on target.

Angel Correa was the biggest culprit as he somehow hit the rebound wide from Carrasco’s saved free kick, before failing to keep down Filipe Luis’ cross at the far post.

His profligacy resulted in his substitution on the hour mark, and just five minutes later, Carrasco successfully met Juanfran’s delivery at the far post for his third goal in two games.

Soslan Dzhanaev then produced a fine save to deny Antoine Griezmann, the goalkeeper expertly tipping over his header, as Atleti held on for a fifth straight win and one more away from the Champions League last 16.

Rostov 0-1 Atletico Madrid

Carrasco 62

Rostov: Dzhanaev; Kireev, Mevlja, Navas, Granat, Kudryashov; Gatsan, Noboa, Erokhin; Azmoun (Prepelita 75), Poloz (Doumbia 77)

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Savic, Filipe; Correa (Gameiro 57), Gabi, Koke, Carrasco (Saul 89); Griezmann (Tiago 90), Torres

Referee: Orsato (ITA)

Tags Rostov
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