With a 2-1 home win against Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-final first leg, Atletico Madrid have put themselves in a good position to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. The Spaniards took an early lead and were 2-0 ahead for a long time, but conceded the next goal and even had to fear for success in the end. The second leg will take place next Tuesday in Dortmund.
10.04.2024 23.31
Online since yesterday, 11:31 p.m
Atletico started with enthusiasm. After ÖFB team player Marcel Sabitzer lost the ball, Alvaro Morata ran towards the five-yard line, where his shot was blocked for a corner. Less than two minutes later, Rodrigo De Paul took the lead after a fatal mistake by Dortmund when playing out. Ian Maatsen practically laid the ball on the outside of his foot to the Argentinian in front of his own penalty area, who then had an easy time of it (4th).
From then on, Atletico put the Germans under constant pressure, BVB saw no offensive at the Estadio Metropolitano until shortly before the end of the first half. Morata got a header from Antoine Griezmann’s corner, but was unable to place the ball correctly in the slight angle (19′). Before making it 2-0, Griezmann served Samuel Lino ideally and the Brazilian pushed in unchallenged (32′). This was preceded by another mistake by the Black and Yellows.
APA/AFP/Oscar Del Pozo Marcel Sabitzer played in Madrid until the 84th minute
Dortmund is fighting back
After the break, Dortmund presented an improved performance, but could hardly find a way through the tight net that the hosts had created. One of the few exceptions was the scene before the 1:2, when Sebastien Haller got the ball in the penalty area with a bit of luck. The striker didn’t hesitate for long and gave BVB a better starting position before the second leg (81′).
Sabitzer was replaced after a solid performance in the 84th minute. A little later, the “jokers” Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Julian Brandt each hit the crossbar and thus missed a possible equalizer for the Germans.
Champions League, quarter-final first leg
Wednesday:
Atletico Madrid – Borussia Dortmund 2:1 (2:0)
Goals: De Paul (4th), Lino (32nd) and Haller (81st)
Second leg on April 16th (9 p.m.)
