Atletico better than Želje: Blue's juniors finish Champions League campaign with heads held high

Željezničar's juniors failed to qualify among the top 16 teams in Europe after being defeated 1:3 by Atletico Madrid in the Youth Champions League play-off.

Around 7,500 fans at Grbavica were able to enjoy a fine football display despite the adverse weather conditions. Omer Joldić's selected players put in a good performance and showed they were a worthy opponent for the famous Madrid club, whose juniors proved to be the better team in this match.

The words of captain Amir Velić that the Blue's juniors would not show their respect on the pitch were confirmed right at the start of the match. The home side entered the game more aggressively, combatively and with heart, and they took the lead in the ninth minute. Denis Žerić crossed from the left, the ball somehow reached Eldar Šehić on the other side, who slotted the ball under the arms of goalkeeper Alex Dos Santos into the net.

After Željezničar's opening goal, the game moved to the midfield, and the guests from Madrid became increasingly dangerous, forcing Filip Dujmović to intervene several times. Atletico missed a good chance to equalise in the 20th minute when the ball hit the home side's crossbar.

The Jorgandžije equalised in the 27th minute, the ball cleverly came to Giovanni Navarro who found himself one-on-one with Dujmović, the home goalkeeper saved his shot, but the ball rebounded fortunately to Garces Moreno who scored from a few metres out to make it 1:1.

(sportske.ba)