MADRID (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo's Champions League mission with Juventus stalled on Wednesday (Feb 20) as Atletico Madrid secured a deserved 2-0 victory from a thrilling first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Ronaldo returned to the Spanish capital, where he enjoyed unprecedented success in this tournament with Real, but it was their rivals celebrating at the final whistle as goals from Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin put Atletico within sight of the quarter-finals.
This was a victory that Diego Simeone's side fully deserved.
Antoine Griezmann had hit the crossbar while VAR twice intervened, correctly, in Juve's favour, cancelling a first-half penalty for a foul on Diego Costa and then ruling out an Alvaro Morata header shortly before Gimenez struck.
Juve are certainly not dead and buried yet, particularly given Costa and Thomas Partey will both be suspended for the return in Turin after each picked up yellow cards here.
But the failure to score an away goal, and their clear inferiority for much of the second half, does not bode well for their hopes of a comeback.
Defeat in the last 16 for either team would be unthinkable, for Atletico, who know the final will be played here, at their own stadium, on June 1, the perfect chance to wrestle the trophy off Real in the very city they share.
And for Juventus, whose wait for Europe's premier prize has now entered its 23rd year, when expectations are higher than ever given they now boast the tournament's most prolific ever player.
Ronaldo, though, endured a disappointing night, suffocated from the outset as he was clattered by Godin and then outmuscled by Juanfran down the left.
Perhaps it was frustration that made him wave five fingers in the direction of the baiting Atletico crowd, presumably to signify his five Champions League triumphs.
His best contribution was an early, driven free-kick from 30 yards, that had to be pushed over by Jan Oblak, and the dummy-shot before it, that exposed Costa as encroaching, for which he received his yellow card.
Costa was his bristling self and almost won a penalty when referee Felix Zwayer thought he was tripped by Mattia de Sciglio. But VAR showed he had not only exaggerated the contact but also extended his run into the area.
The rest of the half was tighter but Atletico had two golden opportunities early in the second. First, Griezmann volleyed Costa in behind but the Spaniard sidefooted wide with only Wojciech Szczesny to beat.
Then, it was Griezmann's turn, this time Szczesny intervening, tipping the Frenchman's lob onto the crossbar before Giorgio Chiellini stopped Costa from reaching the rebound.
Atletico were pushing and it was Morata, on for Costa, who made the difference. He powered in a brilliant header only to see it ruled out for a push but he was not deterred, and when Juve failed to clear his knock-down at a corner, Gimenez was perfectly placed.
Juve were rattled and their failure to rally could cost them dear. Atletico scored again as Godin rose to head in at the near post, only to turn and find Mario Mandzukic had cleared the ball to his feet. The angle was tight but the net was open.
Juve might had snatched an away goal late on but Oblak pushed over Federico Bernardeschi's shot. They have it all to do.
Young Rams Unfazed By Rain As They Prep For Saints Sequel. January 18, 2019 at 10:50 am. Filed Under: LA Rams, Rams. Their 32-year-old head coach Sean McVay,
Jayhawks Unfazed By Streak, National Ranking | News, Sports
Arsenal inflict first domestic defeat on Solskjaer to surge into top four March 12, 2019 LONDON (AFP) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blamed Manchester United's lack of ruthlessness as the Norwegian suffered his first domestic defeat as caretaker manager in a 2-0 loss at Arsenal on Sunday night.
Arsenal inflict first domestic defeat on Solskjaer to surge
LONDON • Aaron Ramsey has agreed a five-year deal with Juventus worth £36 million (S$62 million) and will join the Italian champions on a free transfer at the end of the season.. Read more at
Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey agrees five-year deal with Juventus
Early life. Pochettino was born in Murphy, Santa Fe to Amalia and Héctor Pochettino, a farm labourer. His family is of Italian descent from the Piedmont region. The first football match he watched on television was the 1978 FIFA World Cup which he watched with his father Héctor at the local sports club in Murphy, Centro Recreativo Unión y Cultura.
Pochettino wants big-club vision as Spurs stadium opens new
Football: Man City end Newport's Cup dream to reach quarter-finals 2 min 4 months ago REUTERS: Manchester City endured some anxious moments but escaped from fourth-tier Newport County with their FA Cup hopes intact as Phil Foden scored twice in an ultimately comfortable 4-1 fifth-round victory on Saturday.
FA Cup: Man City end Newport's Cup dream to reach quarter
Messi claims record 5th Golden Shoe Ad "The truth is I had no idea this would happen when I started. I dreamt of playing professional football and enjoying success, I love the game, but I
Football: Messi claims record 5th Golden Shoe, Football News
Rafael Benítez fumes after Wolves deny Newcastle with stoppage-time equaliser. Another factor is that once Benitez departs - probably at the end of the season - we'll probably end up with
Latest NEWCASTLE | The Straits Times
Usual suspects in the frame at expanded Asian Cup The Saigon Times Daily Iran coach Carlos Queiroz appeals for a VAR review during the match at Mordovia Arena, Saransk, Russia June 25, 2018 - PHOTO: REUTERS
Tennessee football recruiting made the cut for an in-state running back. The Volunteers are in the top five for four-star Knoxville, Tenn. APB Elijah Young. In-state all-purpose running backs are
Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed Tottenham plan to trigger a one-year extension on Toby Alderweireld's contract. Alderweireld's current deal expires at the end of this season. By triggering the
Hamilton foiled again in opener, Football News & Top Stories
Real Madrid's Gareth Bale came off the bench and coolly converted a penalty to secure a 2-1 win at Levante in LaLiga on Sunday as the European champions rode their luck to stay within nine points of leaders Barcelona.
Bale penalty gives below-par Real win at Levante - SuperSport
adtest.supersport.com/football/spain/news/190224/Bale_penalty_gives_belowpar_Real_win_at_Levante
Real Madrid's Gareth Bale came off the bench and coolly converted a controversial penalty to secure a 2-1 win at Levante in La Liga on Sunday.
Bale penalty kick gives below-par Real Madrid win at Levante
Tributes left outside Cardiff City Stadium for Emiliano Sala, January 23, 2019. UK rescuers end search for missing plane carrying soccer player Sala. Soccer Football - Cardiff City
Football: Guardiola expects Man City to suffer in tricky FA Cup trip to Newport Guardiola (above) has urged his players to adapt to a battered playing surface at Rodney Parade. PHOTO: REUTERS
Guardiola expects Man City to suffer in tricky trip to Newport
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen