Sporting Lisbon claimed a goalless draw against Atletico Madrid despite finishing the game at the Vicente Calderon with nine-men.
Grimi & Tonel both see red for Portuguese giants
Sporting Lisbon claimed a goalless draw against Atletico Madrid despite finishing the game at the Vicente Calderon with nine-men.
Atletico will rue the fact they could not capitalise on having one extra man for almost an hour, after Leandro Grimi was sent off on the half-hour.
Tonel was dismissed in the final minute too, but Sporting managed to hold on for the 0-0 draw.
Atletico, looking for a cup double having also reached the final of the Spanish Copa del Rey, failed to make the most of their numerical advantage despite enjoying plenty of possession.
And in fact it was actually Sporting who came the closest to breaking the deadlock when, three minutes before Grimi's dismissal, Liedson struck the crossbar from 25 yards out.
Sporting made the short trip across to the Spanish capital in fine form, having recorded convincing victories in their last three games against Everton (3-0), Porto (3-0) and Belenenses (4-0).
Atletico were not short of confidence either though, having won their last league game here 4-1 against high-flying Valencia and having also dumped out Turkish giants Galatasaray in the previous round of the Europa League.
As such, there was little to separate the two Iberian rivals on the pitch and it was not until the 24th minute that a decent effort was fashioned, the impressive Aguero curling a shot just wide following a great run.
Soon after that came Liedson's superb effort. The Portugal international had struck all four goals in last weekend's win over Belenenses and he was only denied another goal here by the woodwork.
First dismissal
Sporting suffered what could have been a major setback moments after that though when Grimi was sent off after scything down Jose Antonio Reyes when the winger was in full flight.
However, that would not end up costing Sporting too much as Atletico struggled to create much to concern visiting goalkeeper Rui Patricio.
Aguero was the biggest threat and he at least tested Rui Patricio a couple of times, while Tomas Ujfalusi headed a free-kick just wide at the start of the second half.
Atletico must have realised it was not going to be their night though, and even the late dismissal of Tonel failed to help their cause as they were held to a goalless draw.
