Griezmann Laments Juve Were Better Than Atletico

By Max Wise

Antoine Griezmann has admitted that Juventus were better than Atletico Madrid after the Italian champions knocked out the Rojiblancos from the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-equaling eighth Champions League hat-trick was enough to see Juventus overturn a 2-0 defeat suffered in the first leg to win 3-2 on aggregate and advance to the quarter finals of Europe’s elite competition.

The result meant Atletico failed in their bid to contest the final which will be held at their own Wanda Metropolitano stadium on June 1 2019.

After the game, Atletico’s French world cup winner, Antoine Griezmann, admitted their performance on the night was not of the required standard, and praised Ronaldo for helping Juventus advance.

"We didn't play the game we wanted to, it was a bad night and we made it easier for Juventus," Griezmann told Sky Sport Italia.

"We are all disappointed, as we just didn't play. I'm the first to say I didn't do enough, our tempo was wrong and Juventus were superior on every level.

"Considering we won the first leg 2-0, we can't say much. I don't know what happened, it reminded me a little of the Bayern Munich game, but that time we were able to make some adjustments. Tonight, Juve were superior on all levels.

"Ronaldo is a great player: he had three chances and scored three goals."

Atletico Madrid will now turn their attention to chasing Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga with a trip to the Estadio San Mames to face Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.