Azerbaijani minnows Qarabag FK held on for another point against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night, coming away from the Wanda Metropolitano with a 1-1 draw.
Michel's first-half header had the visitors on course for a shock victory, until Thomas Partey curled home an equaliser with more than half an hour still to play.
Qarabag managed to see things through, however, despite being reduced to 10 men when Pedro Henrique was dismissed, while Atleti also had a player sent off late on after Stefan Savic needlessly picked up two bookings.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded in the Spanish capital with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
6.45pmWelcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Champions League meeting between Atletico Madrid and Qarabag FK at the Wanda Metropolitano. The hosts head into this Group C match under pressure to pick up all three points, having drawn two and lost one of their first three outings. That leaves them in third place, three points off Roma and five adrift of pacesetters Chelsea.
6.47pmAtletico tasted a first defeat in 12 home European outings against Chelsea last time out here, before being held to a goalless draw by the Azerbaijani champions two weeks ago, meaning that victory really is a must tonight. Plenty of focus on the other match taking place in Group C, too, as Chelsea travel to Roma in a clash between the current top-two sides.
6.49pmThree-time runners-up Atletico cannot be eliminated tonight, even if they fall to a shock defeat and Roma beat Chelsea, but opponents Qarabag face an early exit if they fail to pick up a point and Eusebio Di Francesco's men overcome the Group C leaders. Updates from events at the Stadio Olimpico throughout the night, though for now our focus switches solely to the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.
6.51pmATLETICO MADRID TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Oblak; Juanfran, Savic, Godin, Filipe Luis; Saul, Gabi, Thomas, Correa; Griezmann, Gameiro
SUBS: Moya, Vrsaljko, Lucas, Augusto, Gaitan, Torres, Vietto
6.53pmNo surprises as far as the hosts are concerned, as boss Diego Simeone sticks with the same XI that played out a 1-1 draw with Villarreal here a few days back. Atletico appear to be going with two up top - Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro linking up in the forward line - but with Kevin Gameiro also involved that could so easily be a front three; emphasis, if it were needed, of just how important all three points are for Atleti tonight.
6.55pmGriezmann has not quite hit the heights of recent seasons just yet in 2017-18, scoring five goals in 15 outings for club and country and netting just one in his last seven. Luciano Vietto, among the subs tonight, has failed to score at all this calendar year, meanwhile, going a full 16 matches without registering a goal. A failure to get off the mark tonight, though, and Atletico can surely wave goodbye to their hopes of progression.
6.57pmSimeone sticking with the same side held by Villarreal, then, but that may not have been the case had Koke and Yannick Carrasco overcome their respective thigh and knee injuries. Neither player took part in Monday's final training session which, rather bizarrely, Simeone decided to hold at the club's former Vicente Calderon home. Perhaps that was to inspire his players ahead of tonight, with nothing less than victory acceptable.
6.59pmQARABAG FK TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Sehic; Garayev, Agolli, Medvedev, Rzezniczak; Sadygov, Henrique, Almeida, Guerrier, Michel; Sheydaev
SUBS: Amirquliyev, Dasdamirov, Diniyev, Ismayilov, Quintana, Yunuszade, Kanibolotsky
7.01pmSwitching attention to the home side, opposition boss Gurban Gurbanov appears to have packed his midfield with five players - Michel playing just off Ramil Sheydaev. The latter gets the nod to lead the line in the absence of the suspended Dino Ndlovu, who misses out tonight because of the red card picked up in the reverse fixture a little over two weeks ago - a big loss for the visitors, as he is their top scorer.
7.03pmDonald Guerrier and Pedro Henrique will occupy wide positions in the expected 4-5-1 formation, while Richard Almeida and Gara Garayev are also included from the off. Afran Ismayilov scored a late winner in the Horsemen's most recent outing, but he has to settle for a place among the subs for this trip to the 68,000-capacity Wanda Metropolitano, which is quite a step up from most of the grounds these players are used to visiting.
7.05pmMahir Madatov and Tarik Elyounoussi have both featured a few times for Qarabag in the Champions League thus far, but Gurbanov looks elsewhere tonight. A tough evening in store for the visiting players, potentially, with goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic in particular likely to come under a bombardment as Atletico go all out for the win. Bosnian stopper Sehic conceded six at Stamford Bridge last month and will be hoping for a far better outcome in this one.
7.07pmAntoine Griezmann has scored just one goal in his last seven outings for club and country, perhaps best explaining Atletico Madrid's inability to turn draws into wins of late. With Koke (thigh) and Yannick Carrasco (knee) still out injured, boss Diego Simeone has opted to stick with the same XI held to a stalemate by Villarreal here at the weekend
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7.09pmA huge evening in store in Group C, then, with the picture perhaps looking a little clearer come 10pm tonight - or, indeed, a little more complex depending on results. The ideal scenario for Atletico, runners-up in two of the last four years, is to draw themselves level with Roma on five points apiece heading into the meeting between the two sides next month. Qarabag, on the other hand, will surely be hoping to merely match the result of two weeks ago; a point very much being welcomed by them.
7.11pmAtletico remain unbeaten after 10 La Liga games - one of three sides, along with Valencia and Barcelona, to boast such a record. That does not quite tell the whole story, though, as they have drawn half of those games - many of them winnable fixtures on the face of it - to leave themselves in fourth place. In Europe the picture looks a little more bleak, as they are third and playing catch up on Roma and Chelsea in the top-two spots.
7.13pmFollowing a goalless draw away at Roma on the opening European matchday - a decent result, even if Simeone felt that his side should have come away with all three points - Atleti fell 2-1 at home to Chelsea and were then held by Qarabag in Baku. Two points from nine, with Roma still to visit here and a trip to Stamford Bridge in the final round of fixtures, does not paint a great picture as far as the Spaniards are concerned.
7.15pmEven after Dino Ndlovu's sending-off 15 minutes from time, Atletico were unable to find a way through as they once again struggled to score - one goal from three games all they have to show from their first three Group C matches. It is the fourth time they have fired a blank in all competitions this term, meanwhile, which Simeone is desperate to get to the bottom of ahead of a big month at home and in Europe.
7.17pmDefensively speaking Los Rojiblancos have been as impressive as ever, shipping two goals in their first three European fixtures, both coming in that loss to Chelsea here. In the league they have kept a clean sheet in half of their fixtures to date, but they did concede in that most recent outing as Villarreal left here with a 1-1 draw; Carlos Bacca cancelling out Angel Correa's earlier opener to leave Atleti sitting fourth in the standings after 10 matches.
7.19pmThat leaves Atletico with a record of five wins and five draws in the league, while in the Copa del Rey they played out a 1-1 draw with Elche last week and have also had mixed success on the continent. It really is a case of 'glass half full or half empty' as far as Los Rojiblancos are concerned, knowing that a couple of wins this week and all of a sudden the picture looks a lot rosier; two more draws, or indeed a loss or two, and Simeone will have some questions to answer.
7.21pmFive of their last six games have finished all square, with Atletico very much lacking a difference-maker in their ranks at the moment as Griezmann struggled for momentum. They will soon have one, of course, as Diego Costa is due to officially sign on January 1 and will give this side a welcome attacking boost for the second half of the campaign. The job until then is to ensure that they remain alive in all three competitions heading into the New Year.
7.23pmDID YOU KNOW? Atletico Madrid had gone 11 matches without tasting defeat at home in European competition prior to losing 2-1 to Chelsea here last month, winning five of their most recent six before then. Los Rojiblancos were near-perfect in the group stage last season, only dropping points in their final match with progressed secured, though just how much did the unbelievable atmosphere generated at the Vicente Calderon have to do with that?
7.25pmGoing further back, Atleti have won 30 of their last 36 European home ties, with 35 of those coming at their former home. As mentioned a little earlier, boss Diego Simeone took the surprise decision to make his players train at the Vicente Calderon on the eve of tonight's game, perhaps trying to evoke memories of famous Champions League nights there in recent years - and there have been plenty of them!
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7.27pmAtletico have drawn five of their last six games in all competitions since matchday 2 in the Champions League, scoring just four goals in the process. That will surely give Qarabag hope of pulling off another surprise result tonight, as they look to build on their first-ever point in the competition 15 days ago when the sides last faced off. Five-time champions of the Azerbaijani league, including in four-successive campaigns, they are here to leave their mark on UEFA's showpiece competition.
7.29pmQarabag could well be eliminated this evening if results do not go their way, but they can still hold their heads up high - without being too patronising - having also pushed Roma all the way when falling to a 2-1 loss earlier in the campaign. Making it this far was an achievement in its own right, as they came through three qualifying rounds - including victory over Danish giants FC Copenhagen - for their first-ever participation in the Champions League proper.
7.31pmPrior to this season the Horsemen had fallen just short in qualifying three years running, though they surely would have hoped for a friendlier group when reaching this stage. The silver lining of a Europa League spot, handed to the spot finishing third, was all but pulled away from them when drawn in a group with heavyweights Chelsea, Atletico and Roma. Taking a couple of points from those lot was, and still is, a major ask.
7.33pmQarabag will enjoy their journey now that they are here, however, with this trip to the Spanish capital followed up by games against Chelsea (h) and Roma (a) in the five six weeks or so. Overall the Horseman have a Champions League and Europa League record of two wins, one draw and seven defeats. They are very much minnows in UEFA's flagship competition but, as proved against Atletico a fortnight ago, anything can happen if each player puts in a shift.
7.35pmGurbanov's charges saw their 18-match domestic unbeaten run come to an end at the hands of Gabala last week, ending their streak at 14 wins and four draws. They did return to winning ways at the weekend, however, overcoming Sabail thanks to a late goal from Afran Ismayilov, giving them a record of 22 points from 27 on offer as they seek a fifth-successive Azerbaijani top-flight crown.
7.37pmThe defending champions are currently one point ahead of Zira and two further in front of Qabala, but they have failed to score in three of their last five matches in all competitions. In fact, all three of those goals have come after the 85th minute, so do not be at all surprised to see them keep things tight at the Wanda Metropolitano tonight. Winning the league is the target as ever; producing a shock result against Atletico, Chelsea and Roma in their remaining Euro matches an added bonus.
7.39pmPREVIOUS MEETING! Just the one previous meeting between these two sides, coming in that reverse fixture on October 18 when playing out a goalless draw at the Azersun Arena in Baku. That was also the first time that Atletico Madrid have faced a side from Azerbaijan, and the first time that Qarabag have taken on Spanish opposition in competitive competition.
7.41pmWith kickoff now less than five minutes away in the Spanish capital, let us check out some pre-match thoughts from both camps.
Diego Simeone: "Our success in the last few years in all competitions means that if we don't get an excellent result there's criticism, but we need to live with that if we want to achieve excellence. We have a responsibility on Tuesday. It's an important match for the club, the fans, the players, me."
Gurban Gurbanov: "They'll be even more dangerous than usual given the fact they've got two points. It might be hard to surprise them. They're always up for it and come out motivated to win. We'll play in front of some amazing fans and hopefully my players can respond to that pressure."
7.43pmSimeone admits that his players "have a responsibility" to get the job done tonight, then, setting up a huge showdown with Roma here in a few weeks' time. Opposite number Gurbanov, who has brought in summer signing Ramil Sheydaev for the suspended Dino Ndlovu tonight, is expecting the home side to be "more dangerous than usual" due to their need to collect all three points. Either way, let us hope for an entertaining evening of football in Madrid!
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1 minKICKOFF! We are up and running at the impressive Wanda Metropolitano, constructed with the intention of taking Atletico Madrid to the next level. Crashing out at the group stage of the Champions League was not the plan - three points needed tonight to effectively stop that from happening.
3 minGROUP C UPDATE: ROMA 1-0 CHELSEA
Stephan El Shaarawy has put Roma into the lead inside the opening 38 seconds in the other match taking place in Group C this evening, which is not the best outcome for Atletico as things stand.
5 minSAVE! Atletico have made the start that Simeone would have hoped to see, working the ball well and testing Ibrahim Sehic through a Griezmann strike five minutes in. Smartly struck effort from the edge of the box, which the Bosnian did well to push away.
7 minQarabag not entirely sitting back, in fairness, as they look to relieve some pressure on their backline by getting bodies forward. The longer they can keep things goalless the better, with Atleti knowing that a point is simply not good enough.
9 minJeers from the home fans as the Azerbaijani visitors enjoy a prolonged spell on the ball. Just the one moment for them to get excited about some far, with Griezmann striking the ball well to force Ibrahim Sehic into an early save.
11 minYELLOW CARD! Rashad Sadygov shown a yellow card for a strong challenge, meaning that the centre-back is now walking a proverbial tightrope for the remainder of the match. Just to confirm, Atletico do appear to have gone with a 4-3-3.
13 minSHOT! Pedro Henrique pops up in a great position inside the opposition box, but he is unable to find the target or a teammate as his powerful shot from an angle is blocked. Very little between the two sides so far in Madrid.
15 minSAVE! Pedro Henrique goes down inside the box under minimal contact from Juanfran, which the referee was not buying. Atletico then counter and Gameiro, played through by Correa's backheel, saw his effort stopped by Sehic.
17 minQarabag looking very composed on the ball in the opening quarter of this match, but it is the hosts who have had the better chances. Griezmann had one shot from 18 yards out saved and Gameiro likewise from just a few yards out two minutes ago.
19 minCHANCE! The visitors remaining strong enough at the back so far, but Atletico are creating the odd opening and will feel confident of making a breakthrough sooner rather than later. Partey with a good delivery to the back post, where Godin can only head high over the bar.
21 minJuanfran played in around the back with a ball over the top. The full-back looked to pick out Griezmann alongside him but it was well cutout, as another Atleti opening comes and goes. Qarabag holding on a little now, with 21 minutes played.
23 minLos Rojiblancos continue to probe away, looking for that breakthrough goal which they have so far been unable to find in more than 123 minutes of football against the stubborn Azerbaijani opposition. Filipe Luis and Juanfran popping up in good positions.
25 minEight years since Atletico last failed to progress from the group stage of the Champions League but, a quarter of the way through tonight's matches, that could well be repeated come next month. Not looking good for the Spaniards!
27 minSAVE! Pedro Henrique looking impressive for the visitors so far, creating an opening for himself by cutting inside and driving the ball on target for Jan Oblak to rather comfortably keep out - a first shot on target for his side.
29 minSimeone, as ever, barking out instructions on the touchline. Atletico four points adrift of second-placed Chelsea in Group C as things stand, while Roma are now five points better off as they lead the Blues at the Stadio Olimpico in the group's other match.
31 minYELLOW CARD! Stefan Savic is the second player to be booked by referee Deniz Aytekin after catching the lively Pedro Henrique. More than a third of the game played here and, while Atleti look the better, possession is pretty balanced.
33 minQarabag have actually seen more of the ball so far, edging things 56% to 44% at the Wanda Metropolitano. Visiting boss Gurbanov will be happy with the way things are panning out, though his side are failing to make the most of set-piece opportunities.
35 minYELLOW CARD! Jakub Rzezniczak concedes a free kick 23 yards from goal, earning him a caution and giving the hosts a presentable chance to score. Griezmann's free kick ended high over Sehic's bar in the end, though.
37 minGROUP C UPDATE: ROMA 2-0 CHELSEA
Even more pressure on Atletico to score now, as Stephan El Shaarawy has given Roma a two-goal lead over Chelsea at the Stadio Olimpico. The Blues now the side looking over their shoulder!
39 minGOAL! ATLETICO MADRID 0-1 QARABAG FK (MICHEL)
40 minSpanish midfielder Michel, formerly of Sporting Gijon, has given Qarabag a shock lead at the Wanda Metropolitano! Wilde-Donald Guerrier with the corner and Michel, on his return to his homeland, got his head to the ball first and found the top corner.
42 minMany, myself included, thought a goalless draw would be quite the achievement for Qarabag tonight. Well as things stand, with half time now just a few minutes away, they will climb above their opponents in the Group C standings with all three points!
44 minPretty incredible events unfolded here, as Atletico really are on the brink of exiting the Champions League at the group stage. That will not be confirmed this evening but, with a five-point gap to make up on Chelsea as things stand, it is surely an inevitability.
45+1 minThe visitors holding on a little right at the end of the first half, as Atletico win themselves a corner which ultimately comes to little. A few seconds left to see out and the Horsemen will be halfway to producing a truly massive result.
45+2 minHALF TIME: ATLETICO MADRID 0-1 QARABAG FK
8.34pmThe whistle sounds for half time, meaning that we are 45 minutes away from a shock result in the Spanish capital. Atletico Madrid created the better chances in the first half, but the visitors saw more of the ball and took the lead through their only opening; Michel finding a way past Jan Oblak 40 minutes in.
8.37pmAtletico made a positive start to the contest as they went in search of a maiden European win at their new 68,000-capacity home, testing Ibrahim Sehic through an Antoine Griezmann strike five minutes in. The visitors have struggled for goals of late, however, netting four in their last six matches in all competitions, and their struggles continued as Kevin Gameiro failed to get the better of Sehic when latching on to an Angel Correa back-heeled pass.
8.40pmCentre-back Diego Godin advanced forward and was the next player to come close, heading over the bar at the end of a Thomas Partey cross, while Griezmann - with one goal in his last seven games for club and country - directed a free kick over the bar from 23 yards out. Qarabag may have had to soak up the pressure, but they edged the first-half possession count and created the odd opening of their own before taking a shock lead.
8.43pmPedro Henrique in particular was proving a menace, going down inside the box under minimal contact from Juanfran and then forcing Jan Oblak into a routine save from range. The breakthrough moment in the match arrived five minutes before the interval, as Spanish midfielder Michel, formerly of Sporting Gijon, got his head to Wilde-Donald Guerrier's set-piece delivery and picked out the top corner.
8.46pmDiego Simeone with plenty to think about at the break, then, and he may well turn to his bench for the second half. As things stand, remember, Atletico Madrid sit bottom of Group C on two points. Qarabag, on the other hand, are third on four points - three adrift of Chelsea who trail group leaders Roma (eight points) at the Stadio Olimpico.
ATLETICO MADRID SUBS: Moya, Vrsaljko, Lucas, Augusto, Gaitan, Torres, Vietto
QARABAG FK SUBS: Amirquliyev, Dasdamirov, Diniyev, Ismayilov, Quintana, Yunuszade, Kanibolotsky
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46 minRESTART! Atletico Madrid, showing no changes from the first half, seeking a quick response as we get under way in this second half. Wonder if Qarabag FK, the competition minnows, would take a point now if you offered it to them?
48 minPartey with a smart ball over the top, which has a little too much on it for Griezmann to turn goalwards. The longer the Horsemen can keep their opponents out, the more confident they will be of holding on for the most unlikely of victories.
50 minMISS! Gameiro with a glorious chance to level up the scores, but he somehow failed to adjust his feet when Correa's shot was parried into his path. A few jeers around the ground, but Simeone is encouraged as he claps his players.
52 minThe ball is overhit for Juanfran down the right, trickling out of play for a goal kick. All very frustrating for the home supporters, who may well see a change in personnel over the next five minutes or so - Torres among those warming-up.
54 minOf course, the risk for Atleti now is conceding a second against the run of play, as they commit bodies forward. All three points has to remain the target for them, as unlikely as it may seem at the moment as they struggle in front of goal.
56 minCHANCE! Pedro Henrique played in Ramil Sheydaev down the right and, after the offside flag did not go up, the striker very nearly picked out his teammate with a return pass. Savic superbly intercepted the ball to prevent a tap-in.
57 minGOAL! ATLETICO MADRID 1-1 QARABAG FK (THOMAS PARTEY)
58 minThis is a special goal from Thomas Partey, who seemingly curled the ball halfway out the ground before it came back on itself to find the top corner. Sehic with no chance, seeing his side pegged back moments after squandering a big opportunity of their own.
60 minSimeone a little happier now, as he prepares Gaitan to come on. The Portuguese was actually about the be introduced before that brilliant Thomas Partey leveller, which has given Spanish side Atleti a huge lifeline in Group C.
62 minRED CARD! An hour played at the Wanda Metropolitano and Qarabag, having just conceded, are now down to 10 men. Pedro Henrique caught Diego Godin with a high boot - think Mane on Ederson - and, despite his protestations, is dismissed.
64 minATLETICO MADRID SUB! Goalscorer Partey is taken off, with Gaitan on in his place in the game's first alteration. Sehic taking plenty of time over each kick now, with his side no doubt about to come under bombardment.
66 minJuanfran's cross is easily collected by Sehic to relieve some pressure. More time about to be eaten up, too, as one of the visiting players has picked up an injury and stayed down, to the dismay of the home fans who want him to leave the field.
68 minUPDATE: ROMA 3-0 CHELSEA
Gurbanov has shuffled things slightly by bringing on Elvin Yunuszade for Guerrier, who set up the opening goal of the evening. Elsewhere in Group C, Roma have a 3-0 lead over Chelsea now in the Italian capital!
70 minOFF THE LINE! Filipe Luis with some great interplay in and around the opposition box, but he could only slip the ball wide when through on goal. Before that, Nicolas Gaitan had a headed attempt blocked on the line by an opposition defender.
72 minATLETICO MADRID SUB! Atleti hero Fernando Torres is now on, taking the place of Gameiro for the remaining 18 minutes of the contest. Atletico well and truly knocking on the door, but they just cannot find that vital second goal.
74 minQARABAG FK SUB! A second change for the visitors - Dani Quintana replacing Ramil Sheydaev. The Horsemen working overtime at the moment, having been reduced to 10 men on the hour mark after Pedro Henrique was shown a straight red.
76 minAtletico boasted a record of 30 wins in 36 Euro home games prior to tonight, remember, but that impressive record is under threat at the moment. Defeat to Chelsea in their first Champions League game at this venue, and a result that will feel as bad as a loss as things stand.
78 minYELLOW CARD! Torres had every right to go for the ball but, after catching the keeper with his boot, the referee felt it was a challenge worthy of a yellow card - the fourth of the match to go with that red shown to Pedro Henrique.
80 minAfter a short stoppage in play for Sehic to receive some treatment, we are back under way at the Wanda Metropolitano. Atleti had plenty of momentum a little earlier, but they have not really seen much of the ball in the opposition box over the past seven or eight minutes.
82 minPlenty of Chelsea supporters no doubt turning focus to events here, with their side three down against Roma and now looking over their shoulder at third-placed Atleti. It will be a disastrous night for them if the Spanish club nick a late winner.
84 min5-4-0 the formation of choice for the visitors as we enter the closing stages of the match. It has been an entertaining contest at the Wanda Metropolitano, and it is not over just yet as Los Rojiblancos are seriously knocking on the door.
86 minSAVE! Torres gets on the end of Godin's knockdown but did not really get enough on the ball to test Sehic. Gabi did, though, putting his foot through it and forcing the Bosnian stopper into a smart save, which he was able to help behind for a corner.
88 minQarabag, without a point in this competition prior to the reverse fixture, are on the brink of a second-successive draw against one of the heavyweight sides. Simeone urging the home fans and players on, but his side fluff their lines once again from the corner.
90 minRED CARD! It is now 10 against 10 as Stefan Savic has picked up a second caution for the most needless of challenges. Straight down the tunnel he goes, with Los Rojiblancos desperately running out of time to find a winner now.
90+2 minSAVE! Saul Niguez climbs highest but can only head over the crossbar. Godin then came close, but Sehic was there. We have now played two of five added-on minutes at the Wanda Metropolitano - Atletico will be praying for just one more chance.
90+4 minGriezmann cannot quite stretch enough to turn the ball home and that will surely be that. No change to the scoreline in Rome - Chelsea still trail by three goals - so Los Rojiblancos now need a miracle over the next five weeks.
90+6 minFULL TIME: ATLETICO MADRID 1-1 QARABAG FK
9.44pmThe referee blows for full time, meaning that Atletico Madrid are staring a group-stage exit in the face. The night looked to have turned drastically when Thomas Partey levelled things up in the second half, shortly before Pedro Henrique was shown a straight red, but the hosts could not find a winner - despite bombarding the opposition goal - in the remaining 30 minutes.
9.46pmThat concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events in the Spanish capital. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, while a look back at Chelsea's heavy 3-0 loss to Roma in the other Group C match can be viewed here. Thanks for joining!
