Griezmann tells Atletico to take second-half bite to Arsenal for UCL return leg

Antoine Griezmann said Atletico Madrid must carry their second-half snap and snarl into the return leg of their Champions League ​semi-final against Arsenal after a 1-1 first-leg draw on Wednesday that ‌bubbled away without ever truly boiling over.

Julian Alvarez's second-half spot kick cancelled out Viktor Gyokeres's first-half goal for Arsenal, leaving Atletico arguably the more frustrated side after a ​match they largely controlled but could not fully bend to their ​will.

The hosts had chances to take a lead into Tuesday's ⁠second leg but lacked the final touch, and now face the ​hefty task of beating Arsenal at the Emirates to reach the final.

"Our second-half ​performance was much better in terms of intensity and pressing. That's the way to stay in the tie. It's going to be a great match to play. Whether you're ​at home or at the ground, it'll be a nail-biter but ​that's the beauty of football," forward Griezmann told reporters.

"Conceding at the end of the first ‌half ⁠hurts. We made two or three tactical adjustments to press better and shift our shape, and that made the difference. Then our fans really pushed us on."

Griezmann, who had a chance for the winner but struck the ​crossbar in the ​63rd minute, said ⁠Atletico had to use their improved second-half display as the template for the return.

"I had three clear chances ​to score late in the second half but I couldn't ​find ⁠the net; I'll get one in the second leg for sure. We all did a great job and we have to take the second half with ⁠us," ​Griezmann said.

"My big dream is to reach the ​final. I've prepared a lot for this match and will be ready for the second ​leg, hopefully we can achieve it."