Bad day for Spanish sides in Europa League
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Atletico Madrid were beaten at home to Greek team Aris Salonica, while Getafe could only draw away to Danish outfit Odense on a bad day for Spanish teams in the Europa League on Wednesday.
Reigning Europa League champions Atletico Madrid went into their game against Aris Salonica knowing that a win would assure their place in the last 32 of the competition that they won last year.
The Spanish side got off to a dreadful start when Koke opened the scoring for the Greeks. The Spaniard took advantage of a dreadful mistake from Atletico keeper David de Gea to score from close range.
Atletico responded quickly with first Diego Forlan and then Kun Aguero scoring to put Atletico 2-1 ahead.
Forlan scored from a Simao cross, while Aguero fired home following a pass from central defender Dominguez.
However, Aris dug deep and Koke leveled the score five minutes into the second half from the penalty spot.
The game looked to be heading for a draw, but with 10 minutes remaining Lazaridis scored the winning goal for Aris, who were supported by over 1,000 fans, following a scramble in the Atletico penalty area.
The result means that Atletico's European future is not now in their own hands and they have to get a better result away to group winners, Bayer Leverkusen than Aris do in their home game against bottom side Rosenborg.
The day began with Getafe ending their European adventure with a 1-1 draw away to Danish side Odense.
Pedro Rios scored a looping header to put the Spanish side ahead on a snow covered pitch in Denmark, but Andreason's 92nd minute equalizer made it 1-1.
The draw means it is now impossible for Getafe to qualify for the last 32 of the competition, but as the Spanish side has attracted crowds of just 2,000 and 1,500 fans for their home games, that may be a blessing in disguise.
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