– I believe in my players, they can really afford a lot. But faith and the atmosphere in the stands are not enough. To stay in the Champions League, we must play a great meeting. Anyway, I talked about it after the draw – said Diego Simeone at a press conference before the match against Real Madrid in 1/8 FINAL Champions League.
The Argentinean praised his team, which a week ago lost to Santiago Bernabeu 1: 2, but probably even he did not expect Atletico to make up for the losses after 27 seconds of the rematch. It was a blow that shook Real.
The hosts began the meeting offensively, with very positive energy. Immediately after the start of the game, Atletico carried out an excellent action, which ended with Rodrigo de Paula's play on the right and a blow close to Conor Gallagher. It was the fastest goal scored by the Englishman in the history of the Champions League.
The quickly scored goal was a preview of what we saw in the first half. Half dominated by Atletico. Although Real had as much as 62 percent. Having a ball, he fired only one accurate shot at Jan Oblak's goal. In the 29th minute Rodrygo did it, but he did it so lightly and poorly that Oblak intervened calmly.
Atletico perfectly defended its own penalty area. Simeone players closed their way to their own goal so that Real could only replace dozens of passes several dozen meters before the penalty area. Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham – Real stars did not have a scrap of free space.
And Atletico had at least two good opportunities to increase the lead. Both had Julian Alvarez, but in the 25th and 39th minute his shot was reflected. Courtois. Clement Lenglet also had a good opportunity after crossing a corner, but despite his free position he fired a inaccurate shot.
Real in the Champions League quarter -finals
The second half began in a very similar way. Atletico defended tightly and led dangerous counterattacks. After two of them, Alvarez and Giuliano Simeone had a chance to go, but Courtois intervened well in both situations.
Real was patiently waiting for his chance and got it in the 68th minute. The guests finally had more space, which allowed them to attack a quick attack. Finally, Mbappe got the ball, who fell into the penalty area of ​​his rivals, where he was knocked down by Clement Lenglet.
But here also the goal for Real did not score. Vinicius Jr approached the penalty kick, who chose a strength solution and sent the ball high above the Oblak goal. Metropolitano was in amok, and the atmosphere at the stadium was heated by cholo Simeone, who waved his hands with his hands towards the audience.
Just before the end of the basic game time, Angel Correa, who changed Gio Simeone a moment earlier. The Argentineman perfectly mastered the ball in the penalty area of ​​Real, conquered it over Antonio Raediger and fired an effective, strong, but too high shot at Courtois's goal. Correa could spit in his chin, especially since in this situation he could also serve to the perfectly set Alvarez.
Just like on Tuesday on Anfield Road, so and on Wednesday to Metropolitano to select a quarter -finalist, an extra time was needed. And at its beginning, Atletico once again surprised Real. The game from the goal with a perfect excavation was resumed by Oblak, the ball on the right wing was perfectly mastered by Correa, but his passage to Alexander Sorloth at the last moment cut Rediger.
However, the ambitious fight and effective, intense pace did not give extra time. Real was better in a series of penalties, who won 4: 2. Atletico antiheroes were Alvarez and Llorente. The first one scored a goal in the second series, but Marciniak He didn't recognize him. Why? Because the Argentinean slipped just before the shot and before he hit the ball with his right leg, he touched it with his left leg, which caused the Polish referee to whistle his double touch.
Atletico had a chance to return to competition in the fourth series. At that time, Oblak reflected Lucas Vazquez's shot, but a moment later Llorente hit the crossbar. A moment later, the decisive penalty was used by Rediger and Real again dealt a powerful blow to the local rival in the Champions League.
In the quarter -finals of the Champions League, Real will play with Arsenal, who in the 1/8 finals of the Champions League broke PSV Eindhoven 9: 3. The first matches of this phase 8 and 9, rematch a week later.