Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid

Adjust Comment Print

Atletico Madrid's normally impressive defense failed spectacularly in this game, potentially dooming their Champions League chances.

Saul Niguez netted the first goal with a header off a corner in the 12th minute, and Antoine Griezmann added to the lead four minutes later by converting a penalty kick after Fernando Torres was fouled by defender Raphael Varane inside the area. Marshalled by veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus have conceded just two goals in the Champions League this season and offered Monaco's free-scoring attack hardly a sniff last week. However, Atletico's players went a long way towards making amends for their meek display in the first leg eight days ago in a thrilling opening.

19 year-old French left-back Theo Hernandez has passed his Real Madrid medical according to Marca.

In fact, Real dominated the early exchanges of the second period and while Atletico came back into the match, it never looked enough.

That league game marked Atletico's only win over Madrid by a difference of three goals in the last four decades, but it's what has been giving many fans and players some hope ahead of the team's hard task at the Calderon.

The final few minutes of the game were played out in a biblical downpour, but Madrid's players remained on the pitch after the full-time whistle to thank their fans in an uncovered section of the stadium.

Kurdish supporters hail Donald Trump after key arms decision
In March, the USA deployed troops to Manbij, Syria, to act as a buffer between feuding Turkish and Kurdish forces. The president said he would take up the issue during a planned meeting with US President Donald Trump on May 16.

"Hopefully that will be repeated", Atletico captain Gabi Fernandez said on Tuesday. "I thought we were excellent in the first half".

Two minutes later Luka Modric almost finished the game for Real when his mis-hit shot from a corner was bundled into the net by Cristiano Ronaldo, only for it to be ruled out for offside.

The Portuguese global bagged another treble and left Atleti without a soul in the first leg last week. Theo is now on loan at Alaves from Atletico Madrid.

If Atletico manage to turn the result around, they will be the first team in history to overturn a 3-nil first leg away defeat. Coach Simeone was loudly cheered.

"The team showed once more why they have been competing at this level for so many years", said Atletico coach Diego Simeone.

After 50 years at the Calderon, Atletico move to the new 67,000 capacity Wanda Metropolitano next season.

Comments