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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

Atletico star Llorente in awe at Parkhead atmosphere as he heaps praise on Celtic

Atletico Madrid star Marcos Llorente has praised Celtic and the Parkhead atmosphere and admitted they were stunned at Brendan Rodgers' side's performance.

The in-form La Liga giants were held to a 2-2 draw at Parkhead after twice having to fight back from going a goal behind in the Champions League.

It was Celtic's first point in the group stages and they gave Diego Simeone's side a huge fright, with Atletico also being reduced to ten men after Rodrigo De Paul was sent off.

And Spanish international star Llorente was full of praise for the Hoops' display.

He admitted: "Celtic had a great first half. They pushed up and were lifted by the atmosphere in the stadium. It was very difficult for us.

"In the second half, we turned the game around. We were more aggressive, with more attacking moves

"Until Rodri's red card, we were creating chances, we were doing well, stopping their counter-attacks, but the sending-off hurt us. These things happen in football. You have to adapt and accept it and we value the point.

"I thought some of the yellow cards we got were unnecessary and once some of our players got booked, we had to play with the handbrake on. For us, it seemed every foul was a yellow card and you couldn't talk to the referee.

"We were dominating in the second half and perhaps it would have been different without the red card. We were pushing for another goal and Celtic seemed tired.

"But I think when we look back at this group, we should have won both games away in the group against Lazio and Celtic.

"So we need to put it right in the home game against Celtic."  

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