SPORTS Saturday, May 5, 2018 21 Atletico overcome Arsenal Atletico Madrid advanced to the Europe League final 2-1 on aggregate after a 1-0 victory over Arsenal Madrid defenders before firing well and sliding his shot just wide tletico Madrid advanced wide from an angle with only of the post after finding space to the Europe League goalkeeper David Ospina to in the area. finalA 2-1 on aggregate after beat. But Costa redeemed a 1-0 victory over Arsenal at Laurent Koscielny came off himself in first-half stoppage the Wanda Metropolitano on in the 11th minute with what time. Started by a long ball Thursday. Diego Simeone’s looked to be a serious, non- from goalkeeper Jan Oblak, side booked their first final in contact injury to his lower Griezmann’s sweeping pass the competition since winning leg. The France international to the left found the Spain it in 2012 while also denying pounded the ground with his international who held off Arsene Wenger his last chance hand and was in visible pain Hector Bellerin and fired past to lift a European trophy as for several minutes before Ospina with his left foot. manager of Arsenal, where being stretchered off and Needing a goal to force he’s set to leave after 22 years replaced by Calum Chambers, extra-time, Arsenal pushed at season’s end. with reports later suggesting forward in the second half Simeone, serving a he suffered a ruptured achilles. with a harried Aaron Ramsey touchline ban after being sent Arsenal created their best unfortunate not to make clean off in the Emirates first leg, chance of the half midway contact with only Oblak to watched from a stadium suite through -- Alexandre Lacazette, beat early on. as his men rode a goal from laying off for Mesut Ozil in Oblak did well to palm a Diego Costa to their fourth the box but the German’s low low drive from Granit Xhaka continental final in his tenure cross from close range could around the post just after the as boss. only find rojiblanco legs in the hour mark and Griezmann Costa was unlucky not to six-yard box. forced a save from Ospina after score on just six minutes when Antoine Griezmann went fine work from Costa in the Atletico Madrid’s Deigo Costa celebrates (Pic courtesy: Reuters) he battled past two Arsenal close on 37 minutes, swiveling box minutes later. (Espn) Barca desperate to maintain record Mahrez withdrawns transfer request London eicester’s Riyad Mahrez said yesterday he has withdrawn hisL transfer request after a move to Manchester City fell through but the future of the Algerian forward remains in doubt. Mahrez asked to leave the former Premier League champions in January during a protracted transfer saga that resulted in a 10-day absence from the club but the Foxes Riyad Mahrez (file pic) held firm. “It has gone. It was in I had offers from Manchester about (whether) I am going, January, it’s another transfer City, so obviously I wanted or staying. I just want to window. I am still here -- I to go,” added the 27-year- finish the last three games. don’t want to put a lot of old. “But now I am still at We will see what will happen things in my head,” Mahrez Leicester. for me.” told Sky Sports News, when “With me, especially, Mahrez, who has scored 11 asked whether his transfer you never know what is goals for Leicester this season, request still stood. happening. Every time I have was a key player in the club’s “At that time I handed a to go but I am still here. astonishing title win in 2015- transfer (request) in because “I don’t really want to talk 16. (AFP) Lucas Digne (file pic) Barcelona but Real’s success in Europe to atone for their Champions Simeone banned for four matches arcelona defender Lucas is threatening to overshadow League collapse against Roma, Digne has admitted he and Barca’s success in the league. which hangs over the club, London Simeone was sent off early hisB team-mates are desperate Digne, speaking exclusively despite their domestic success. tletico Madrid coach Diego in the first leg at The Emirates to avoid surrendering their to AFP, said finishing the Real’s subsequent march to Simeone has been banned Stadium for shouting at French unbeaten La Liga record to campaign undefeated has now the final has only deepened the forA four games for insulting referee Clement Turpin and Real Madrid on Sunday. become key. sense of disappointment. a match official following his also pushing the fourth official Barca are four games away “It’s that consistency, it “Real winning the rant at the referee during last after Arsenal defender Hector from adding a first invincible shows the hard work of the Champions League is still week’s Europa League semi- Bellerin was not booked for La Liga season to their domestic whole group throughout the hypothetical, it is not done final, first leg against Arsenal, a foul on Atletico midfielder double but this weekend they season, it’s huge,” Digne said. yet,” Digne said. UEFA said yesterday. Koke. host a Real side in form, and “Of course, this is a record “There are two sides to our Simeone has already served Simeone’s temper had buoyed by their run to the the team now wants to go for. season -- we would have hoped one match of the ban after already been tested earlier Champions League final. It is important for us and we to go further in the Champions watching from the stands on Diego Simeone (file pic) in the game when Atletico This Clasico at the Camp will give everything to hold on League and we thought we Thursday as Atletico beat was also fined 10,000 euros defender Sime Vrsaljko was Nou may not carry much to it.” could have won it but that Arsenal 1-0 in the second leg ($11,942), European soccer’s dismissed for two bookings in importance in terms of the table Barca also still feel the need didn’t happen.” (AFP) to advance to the final. He governing body said. quick succession.Fabio Aru (Reuters (file pic)).