In the first meeting of the semi-finals of the football Champions League, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal played 1-1 at the Metropolitano Stadium.
Unlike the Paris spectacle between PSG and Bayern, the Madrid test was expectedly different. It was her hard and tight game without too many opportunities, and both goals were scored from penalties.
Arsenal took the lead in the 44th minute with a goal Viktor Gyökeresand in the 56th minute equalized Julian Alvarez. The return is on May 5 in London.
The Gunners continued with this result undefeated streak this season in the Champions League. In 13 matches, they achieved 10 wins and three draws. It was the fourth meeting between these two clubs. This season, Arsenal won 4-0 in the league, and they also played in the semi-finals of the Europa League in 2018. The first leg, played in London, ended 1-1, and in return Atletico won 1-0, securing a place in the final where they beat Marseille 3-0.
Atletico Madrid, in their seventh Cup/Champions League semi-final, are chasing a fourth final. In the previous three finals (1974, 2014, 2016), he suffered three defeats. The first time from Bayern, and then twice from city rival Real.
On the other side is Arsenal for the first time in the history of the club reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the second season in a row and fourth time overall. He made it to the finals only once, in 2006, when he lost to Barcelona in the final match.
Arsenal was the first to threaten, in the 6th minute Madueke brilliantly passed two local players and entered the penalty area. He crossed at the far post to Hincapia, but his shot ended up over the goal.
Atletico retaliated in the 14th minute, Alvarez received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, positioned himself and took a great shot, but Ray made a great save. Only a minute later, the visitors countered, Gyökeres passed on the left side and returned the ball to the penalty area. Odegaard ran up and shot, but he did block saved the hosts.
In the 28th minute, Alvarez threatened with a header, but without too much danger. Two minutes later, he threatened Madueke on the opposite side, but his shot went wide.
When it seemed that the first half would end without goals, “Topnici” took the lead. It all started with Alvarez’s mistake. In the continuation of the action, Gyökeres received the ball inside the penalty area, Hancko knocked him down from behind, and referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the penalty spot. Gyökeres shot to make it 1-0.
Atletico is far away more actively entered into the sequel and he could have equalized in the 48th minute. Alvarez shot a free kick from about 20 meters, hit the net, but from the outside. In the 53rd minute, the Madrid team had two good opportunities, first Lookman shot, but Ray saved, the rebound was met by Griezmann, but his attempt was blocked by Gabriel.
Three minutes later Atletico equalized from another penalty. Llorente fired, hitting White in the arm. The referee did not speak, but after a call from the VAR room, he looked at the tape and awarded the harshest penalty. Alvarez was sure.
In the 63rd minute, the home team could have turned the score around, but Griezmann’s shot from inside the penalty area ended up in the frame of the goal. In the 74th minute, Atletico had another great opportunity, but Lookman shot straight at the goalkeeper of the London team. In the 78th minute, the Dutch referee awarded the third penalty. Hancko appeared to bring down Eze and Makkelie awarded the visitors a penalty kick. However, after reviewing the footage, he changed his mind.
By the end of the meeting more there was not much excitement and the decision on the passenger to the final will be made on Tuesday, May 5 in London.
On Tuesday, PSG beat Bayern Munich 5-4 at the Parc des Princes. For the Parisian squad, the scorers were Kvicha Kvaratskhelia (24, 56), Joao Neves (33) and Ousmane Dembele (45+5-11m, 58), while for Bayern the scorers were Harry Kane 17-11m), Michael Olise (41), Dayot Upamecano (65) and Luis Diaz (68). The second leg is on Wednesday in Munich.
As a reminder, this year’s Champions League final is in Budapest at the Puskas Arena on May 30.
The results of the first matches of the semi-finals of the football Champions League:
Atletico Madrid – Arsenal 1-1 (Alvarez 56-11m / Gyokeres 44-11m)
On Tuesday:
PSG – Bayern Munich 5-4 (Kvaratskhelia 24, 56, Neves 33, Dembele 45+4-11m, 58 / Kane 17-11m, Olise 41, Upamecano 65, Diaz 68)
Reciprocal encounters
On Tuesday, May 5
Arsenal – Atletico Madrid
On Wednesday, May 6
Bayern Munich – PSG
FINALS – May 30 (Puškas Arena, Budapest)
(Hina | Photo: X)
