Atletico Madrid beat a sluggish Bayern Munich 1-0 in their UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg tie on Tuesday night and hold a definite advantage before the second round in Germany next week.
They have their midfield magician, Saul Niguez to thank, with a 11th minute strike that is worthy of winning a final let alone a semi. His masterful assist for Antoine Griezmann against Barcelona was still fresh in memory but he went one step further with a true 'golazo'.
Seemingly in an non-threatening position, the young Spaniard’s mazy dribble left at least four of Bayern’s stars chasing shadows as he twisted and turned before curling past Manuel Neuer at the far post. Any goal that goes past the world’s number one goalkeeper is special, but this will certainly be one for the highlight reels .
Yet again, Atletico manager Diego Simeone got his tactics spot on, frustrating their fancied opponents with unrelenting pressure, and almost always having 10 men behind the ball. His all black attire adds to his tough-as-nails personality, and his team performed their duties in the most perfect way he could have asked for.
Pep Guardiola announced a different line-up than expected with Frank Ribery and Thomas Muller sitting out and that decision could damage his legacy at the Bavarian club, as his side lacked that spark which could ignite this match.
The first half had Atletico stamped all over it, as they sat deep and were content to hit Bayern on the counter, and Saul was omnipresent, always making Bayern uncomfortable each time he got the ball.
The second period saw a much improved Bayern performance, but booming long range shots from David Alaba and Arturo Vidal were by and large the only times Jan Oblak was really stretched to be honest.
Instead, Atletico almost got a second goal which would have killed off the tie, launching a searing counter attack they are famous for, with Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres combining extremely well. Torres’s shot then beat Neuer but hit the post and the rebound was comfortably gathered by the German shot stopper.
Bayern kept pressing for a equaliser which would have shifted the balance into their favour and went close in injury time, but Atletico clung on for a famous victory at the Vicente Calderon.
Tempers flared as the German giants got annoyed with the time-wasting tactics employed by the Rojilblancos, and ugly scenes were stopped by match official Mark Clattenburg just in time.
Germany's number one side have their work cut out for them for next week’s leg, and there is no denying the fact that if Atletico continue to defend so stoically, it could prove to be third time unlucky for Pep Guardiola and co.
Read more at http://www.thestatesman.com/news/latest-headlines/champions-league-saul-s-wonder-strike-sinks-bayern-munich/138965.html?#dOYVwxJHUB7skqtf.99
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