22.01.2026 11:21
Atletico Madrid's goal of reaching the top 8 in the UEFA Champions League has become difficult after drawing 1-1 with Galatasaray. The Spanish press stated that this situation has complicated Atletico Madrid's calculations in the Champions League, and they need both a significant victory and for their rivals to drop points in the last week. Marcos Llorente, who scored an own goal, and missed opportunities prevented Atletico from winning. Their hopes of making the top 8 have been pushed to the final week.
The match in which Galatasaray drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid at home in the UEFA Champions League became one of the most talked-about sports events of the day in Spain. The Spanish press agreed that this result seriously complicated Atletico Madrid's goal of reaching the top 8.
"ATLETICO'S PLANS ARE IN DISARRAY"
La Razon wrote that Atletico Madrid's situation in the Champions League became even more complicated with the draw against Galatasaray. El Pais described this result as "a painful draw," emphasizing that the red-and-white team needs both a significant victory and for their rivals to drop points in the final week to enter the top 8.
OWN GOAL AND MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
AS newspaper noted that despite Giuliano Simeone's early goal, Marcos Llorente's own goal prevented a victory. Marca wrote that Atletico Madrid created numerous chances in Istanbul but failed to convert them, highlighting Llorente's unfortunate goal and Oblak's critical save in the injury time.
TOP 8 HOPES LEFT TO THE FINAL WEEK
ABC described Atletico Madrid's Champions League performance in Turkey as inconsistent and stated that this result increased the uncertainty regarding the top 8. El Periodico and Lavoz de Galicia similarly wrote that Atletico would face a tough challenge in the final match week for their top 8 goal.
"THEY GOT STUCK IN THE TURKISH HELL"
Sport newspaper noted that Atletico "shot themselves in the foot" in Turkey, while Onefootball reported the match with the headline "Atletico Madrid got stuck in the Turkish hell." Ok Diario emphasized that the Madrid representative found themselves in a difficult situation in the Champions League.
FELL SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS
Ultimahora and 20minutos wrote that Atletico Madrid fell short of expectations in Istanbul and that this point loss complicated their path to the last 16. Mundo Deportivo recalled Diego Simeone's pre-match assessment that "4 points from the last two matches makes it tough for the top 8," stating that Oblak's saves in the final minutes made this result possible.