The three-time runners-up may now find it difficult to make it to the last 16, despite the provisional eighth-place finish.
Giuliano Simeone’s team got off to a great start, but Marcos Llorente’s own goal earned them honors as well in Istanbul.
With a crucial late interception, the Spain international saved his team from falling to the ground.
Coach Simeone told reporters, “First, we wait to see the results; (finishing in the top eight) no longer depends on us.”
“We will manage what depends on us,” according to the results.
Simeone acknowledged that the game was a close call, but that his team needed to improve.
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He continued, “They could have won with that last one that Marcos saved.”
“We could have won it, but clinical finishing is key, and we can hopefully regain that form,” says the coach.
With their fourth-minute goal, Giuliano headed home from Matteo Ruggeri’s cross, to dampen the atmosphere.
After 20 minutes, Llorente’s cross from Roland Sallai’s cross into his own net prevented his 100th Champions League appearance by Jan Oblak by denying him a clean sheet.
Before half-time, Baris Yilmaz had the opportunity to give Galatasaray an early lead, but he did so with a skewed shot that went over the bar.
Just before the hour mark, Atletico almost regained control when Abdulkerim Bardakci rescued David Hancko’s effort from safety.
Despite Julian Alvarez’s recent poor form in front of goal, Atletico coach Simeone replaced Alexander Sorloth with French veteran Antoine Griezmann.
The Argentina international has only scored once in his last ten games, but his performance against Galatasaray was more lively than in some other recent appearances.
Ugurcan Cakir, a goalkeeper for Galatasaray, tipped his effort away with five minutes to spare Griezmann’s team a point, but Alex Baena was denied.
Galatasaray might have won it when it was time to score, but Llorente jumped in and grabbed Eren Elmali’s cross.
The Turkish side’s draw against Manchester City, where they will play their final group game of the week, which will aim to earn a play-off spot, was unsatisfying.
Source: Channels TV
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