Atletico take advantage of Dortmund in Champions League quarter-finals

Spain At home, Atletico beat Dortmund 2-1 in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on April 10.

Atletico won by a goal but could not be satisfied when the final whistle blew. Diego Simeone's team took a two-goal lead after just over half an hour and had many chances to turn the return leg into a formality. However, Atletico could not score more and conceded in the 81st minute, before escaping two goals from Dortmund hitting the crossbar.

De Paul (No. 5) celebrates the opening goal at the Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, Spain on April 10. Photo: Reuters — De Paul (No. 5) celebrates the opening goal at the Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, Spain on April 10. Photo: *Reuters*

The early opening goal helped the home team play easily and continuously create problems for Kobel. If Dortmund's goalkeeper had not been excellent, Atletico could have led 2-0 after only seven minutes, from a connecting kick by Axel Witsel - a former player of the away team.

Dortmund only lasted until the 32nd minute, before conceding a second goal after a mistake by Mats Hummels - who was playing his 500th game for the club. Hummels's poor clearance gave Atletico a chance to counter-attack. Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann each made one-touch passes to Samuel Lino, who controlled and finished gently past Kobel.

Lino (right) celebrates his goal with Griezmann - who assisted him. Photo: Reuters — Lino (right) celebrates his goal with Griezmann - who assisted him. Photo: *Reuters*

Dortmund rallied late in the first half but were outplayed again in the second half. However, Atletico's missed chances for a third gave the visitors confidence of a comeback. Substitutes Julian Brandt and Sebastian Haller combined briefly before the cancer-beaten striker turned and fired past Jan Oblak.

The visitors were buoyed by Haller's goal and stormed ahead in the final 10 minutes. They could have left the Metropolitano with a draw, had Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Brandt not hit the crossbar in the 87th and 90+5th minutes.

Haller (yellow) shortened the score to 1-2 for Dortmund at the end of the match. Photo: Reuters — Haller (yellow) shortened the score to 1-2 for Dortmund at the end of the match. Photo: *Reuters*

Atletico maintained an 18-game unbeaten run at home in the Champions League knockout stages for 27 years. But coach Simeone was not too happy with his 50th victory in the prestigious European playground. The Atletico strategist wanted a bigger margin than one goal, with the home team hitting the target nine times.

A 2-1 defeat is not a disaster for Dortmund. Possession of 66% of the ball in the away match means the German side will be even more dangerous when they return to Signal Iduna Park next week. If they can reverse the situation in the second leg, Dortmund will reach the semi-finals for the first time in 11 years.

Line-up

Atletico: Jan Oblak - Axel Witsel, José María Giménez, César Azpilicueta, Nahuel Molina (Saúl Ñíguez 90), Koke, Marcos Llorente, Rodrigo De Paul (Ángel Correa 80), Lino (Rodrigo Riquelme 90) - Antoine Griezmann, Álvaro Morata (Pablo Barrios 64)

Dortmund: Gregor Kobel - Julian Ryerson, Mats Hummels, Nico Schlotterbeck, Ian Maatsen - Marcel Sabitzer (Marco Reus 84), Emre Can (Salih Özcan 84), Felix Nmecha (Julian Brandt 46) - Jadon Sancho, Niclas Füllkrug (Sébastien Haller 60), Karim Adeyemi (Jamie Bynoe-Gittens 73).

Vy Anh

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