The joy of Atletico’s first penalty shootout triumph in Europe will diminish once the dust settles on a narrow victory that did little to suggest they had rediscovered a cutting edge up front.
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Midfielder Mario Suarez’s first half effort was the only goal either team could muster at the Calderon, his goal levelling up the tie after Diego Simeone’s side had lost 1-0 away in Germany.
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It was a scrappy match in which Leverkusen failed to take several chances of their own before Suarez’s decisive intervention.
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Atletico improved as they game progressed but only managed to put the visitors under any sustained pressure towards the end of normal time.
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Mario Mandzukic was restored to the starting line-up, having been relegated to the bench for two games as well as missing the 0-0 draw with Espanyol in La Liga last weekend through suspension.
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However, he failed to provide the solution for a faltering Atletico attack that has now scored just two goals in the last five games in all competitions.
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The run has also seen the La Liga champions drop down to fourth place in the domestic standings.
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Fernando Torres replaced Mandzukic after 82 minutes as Simeone’s side looked for a winning goal but the Spanish striker was unable to prevent the tie from going to penalties.
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“In the Champions League it is very difficult and the Last 16 is not as easy as people think,” Torres told reporters.
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“We controlled the game but we did not find it easy to score. Then in the penalties, it is down to the team with the most luck.”
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Torres scored Atletico’s fifth penalty and it was a special night for the homegrown talent. After spells at Liverpool and Chelsea, he moved to AC Milan and is currently on-loan at his boyhood club from the Italian outfit.
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“I was looking forward to experience matches like this at the Calderon,” he said.
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“It was incredible and I only have words of thanks to the fans who backed us right to the end. There is no doubt that I made the right decision to come back here.”
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