Atlético, eliminated after an incredible and cruel outcome against Leverkusen

• Group B Results and classification

• Xabi Alonso The calculated takeoff of a predestined coach

Passion transformed into drama.

A drama raised to the umpteenth expression, to the DNA of this suffering Atlético, eliminated from the Champions League in an outcome that could not have been more cruel.

Because he died twice.

The first when

signaled the end of the clash in a draw.

The second when

missed the penalty that the VAR, like a miracle, had handed him on the last play.

A premature goodbye, in an unmitigated disaster.

Pure frustration, Atlético will not be in the round of 16 of this Champions League, which brings them down the street of bitterness.

This competition that loves and hates you, mutual feelings, because it brings you the best dreams and unforgettable setbacks.

Few like last night at the Metropolitan.

In Do Dragao next Tuesday he only has the crumbs left, at stake to save his honor, to attend at least that Europa League that, not now, ends up awakening an appetite for a title.

He dies because of his own mistakes, because of his timorous progress.

Because he was not able to score a goal against Bruges in two games and because last night against an eliminated Leverkusen he ended up paying for an erratic first half.

In the wildness of the comeback that wasn't, Atlético lacked, once again, the forcefulness, the strength and the necessary luck.

Five points in five days, not enough to continue in the continental elite.

A rival already eliminated

The night was conditioned by what had happened a while before in Bruges.

And the worst happened, that Porto thrashed the surprising Belgian champion, already qualified.

So for Atlético all the cabals ended before they started: life went through two wins.

More dramatic for Bayer, eliminated from the Champions League before the initial whistle at the Metropolitan.

Simeone opted for courage, with

,

, Carrasco and

at the forefront, more wood, but surprised with

sharing behind with

.

And he mutated a system that had been giving him results, especially at home.

A desire for initiative, for risk, for the quick goal that directed a duel to which the rival went between defensive doubts, conceding goals and more goals (10 in the last three games) to the despair of the newcomer

was sensed .

But the quick goal came against.

A hammer.

This Bayer has fang, as much dynamite at the top as tremors behind.

And in modern football losses in the opposite field are assisted suicides.

They stole it from Griezmann,

's hard leg , and in a cramp the ball was at the bottom of

's left-footed shot

.

It was time to get up from the blow.

And it wouldn't be the first time.

Because Carrasco equalized after an elegant transfer from Griezmann, redeeming his previous failure.

A dry whiplash from the front, the first rojiblanco goal in the Champions League for four games.

The high was going to last the blink of an eye.

Because, inexplicably, Atleti began to ramble before the German onslaught, a rival with nothing to gain or lose, beyond self-esteem.

Cholo was desperate with the ball out of his own, as if anticipating what was to come.

Correa, too close to his own area, got entangled under pressure from Bayer and again the shot to the foot.

He steal, wall and goal, in three seconds.

This time the work of

.

Atlético was all discomfort, aware that every risk they took, Leverkusen penalized them.

But he needed two goals.

And also the break to reconsider, because

did not make the third only thanks to Oblak.

Everything had gone wrong.

And that's why Cholo made a clean slate.

and

, the unpostponable rock and roll.

And three more gears.

The aggressiveness, the energy, the necessary passion.

Not even four minutes had passed when De Paul himself, in a stupendous volley from Carrasco, equalized from the edge of the box.

A siege came.

Griezmann had it, Carrasco had it and then the momentum dropped as fatigue accumulated and nerves hovered in the Metropolitano.

Joao Félix appeared too late and there was not even a clear chance.

What's more, he saved Oblak twice.

And then the incredible ending, to delve into the wound and the legend of the

.

Too cruel.

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• football

• Atletico Madrid

• Diego Simeon

• Yannick Carrasco

• Antoine Griezmann