REAL MADRID VS ATLETICO MADRID: 1-2
Real Madrid is all set to face Juventus in Champions League final despite losing 2-1 against Atletico Madrid, as Real Madrid has earlier defeated Atletico Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of semi-finals. Atletico needed to overturn the Real Madrid’s lead and they started well in first half with Saul Niguez header and a penalty shot from Antoine Griezmann but then they couldn’t get the momentum rolling in their favour and a sublime soccer skills from Karim Benzema saw him set up Toni Kross where Isco did no mistakes with the rebound shot and saw Real Madrid through a comprehensive 4-2 lead.
The match started at Vicente Calderon, home ground for Atletico Madrid. The players were greeted with a Tifo from home fans proclaiming ‘proud to be different to you’. Atletico Madrid team Manager Diego Simeone was aware of the fact that they needed to huge win to go to the finals and hence was clear with his strategies. Atletico followed a formation of 4-4-2 whereas Real Madrid placed a formation of 4-3-3. As expected Atletico Madrid gave an electric start when Koke and Fernando Torres came close to score the opening goal within five minutes of the play. This showed that Atletico and were playing with positive intent to win the match. In the 12’of the match, Saul Niguez thumped a header with a perfect kick from Koke. Celebrations started at Calderon stadium but it got doubled in the 16’when home team were awarded a penalty. It was a nerve moment for Atletico as they have missed 8of their 13 penalties this season but Antoine Griezmann their star striker makes despite slipping on impact and Naas getting a hand on it. It looked that Real Madrid lacked the home support as they were 2-0 within 20 minutes of the play. Just before the end of first half Real Madrid threatened to score and finally scored in 42’when Karim Benzema somehow managed to wriggled past three players from corner flag before laying it off to Kross where Oblak made a stunning save but then couldn’t prevent Isco from scoring after a rebound. Thus after the end of first half, Atletico Madrid was still in the lead by 2-1.
Real Madrid earned a free kick just after the start of second half but Ronaldo failed to score. It then took 20 minutes for Atletico to carve some chances to increase their lead but a brilliance saves from Navas first of the shoot from Yannick Carrasco and then somehow keeping the Kevin Gamerio’s header off the goalpost in follow-up. Real Madrid goalkeeper Navas had a wonderful night with his superb saves as he later denied Griezmann from a tight angle and later Ramos interception prevented Gamerio from tapping. At the end of full-time Atletico Madrid won the match 2-1 but it was Real Madrid who advances into the finals of European League with an aggregate score of 4-2.
MATCH STATS:
Real Madrid is set to play Juventus in the finals and it will be their eighth European Cup final.
Antoine Griezmann has netted five goals in his last five home matches’ in Champions League.
This was Real Madrid first defeat this season with (8W, 3D, 1L) so Juventus are the only unbeaten side left in the competition.
