2024-03-13 23:09:45
Beaten 1-0 in the first leg, Atlético Madrid won on penalties against Inter Milan on Wednesday in the return match of the round of 16 of the Champions League. Antoine Griezmann and his teammates return to the quarter-finals.
Published on: 03/14/2024 – 00:09Modified on: 03/14/2024 – 00:11
3 mn
Atlético Madrid created the feat on Wednesday March 13. Antoine Griezmann’s team eliminated Inter Milan, vice-European champion, on penalties (2-1 ap, 3-2 tab) after a superb battle in a burning Metropolitano, and wins the last ticket to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Beaten 1-0 in the first leg and leading by the score, Atlético put in a very high-level performance to snatch extra time (2-1) before winning three shots on goal to two thanks to two saves from their Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak in front of Alexis Sanchez and Davy Klaassen and a miss from Lautaro Martinez.
Pushed by their public in an incandescent atmosphere, the Colchoneros believed in their luck and went to provoke destiny by imposing crazy pressure on the camp of the leader of the Italian championship, who had until now had an almost perfect season.
Their start was up to the challenge, under the leadership of Brazilian piston Samuel Lino, who called on Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer from the 5th minute of play. Even if it meant exposing himself to the transalpine counterattacks.
The Rojiblancos were fortunately able to count on their Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak, author of a double save in front of Dumfries after a sublime deflection from Marcus Thuram in pivot (13th), then vigilant on a blocked strike from Lautaro Martinez (18th).
On the other side of the field, Diego Simeone’s men multiplied the crosses but did not find the fault, despite a second thrill on a header from Alvaro Morata captured by Sommer (29th).
And by pushing to score, the punishment ended up arriving at the end of a superb collective movement concluded by the Italian full-back Federico Dimarco, alone to take the center behind Barella (33rd, 1-0) and ignite the yard nerazzurro.
Griezmann, and joker de luxe
With two goals to go to snatch extra time, Atlético needed more than ever an intervention from Griezmann, their providential man, expected in Madrid as the savior after four missed matches due to a sprained ankle. The French striker, rather discreet until now, then emerged to give hope to his team by taking advantage of a reading error from his teammate in the French team Benjamin Pavard (35th, 1-1).
The sixth achievement in seven C1 matches this season for the Maconnais, silent for almost two months and then prevented from signing a seventh by Pavard (43rd) then by Sommer, vigilant upon returning from the locker room (52nd).
Read alsoFootball: co-top scorer in history, Griezmann enters the pantheon of Athlético
The match turned irrational about twenty minutes from time, Thuram (76th) and Barella (82nd) missing two match points for Inter, while the Rojiblancos pushed to snatch extra time under the leadership of the Dutchman. Memphis Depay, who came into play in place of Morata.
The former Lyonnais first hit Sommer’s right post (86th) before making the Metropolitano roar with an unstoppable pivoting cross strike in the area (87th, 2-1) to put the two teams back on level terms. two matches and confirm his status as a luxury joker.
The other entrant Rodrigo Riquelme had the qualifying ball offered by Griezmann at the end of added time (90th + 3) but missed the target, and the two teams were unable to decide in extra time, despite opportunities to each side.
The young Spanish winger, however, did not tremble to score his penalty, unlike the former Marseillais Alexis Sanchez, the Dutchman Davy Klaassen, who fell on an inspired Oblak, and captain Lautaro Martinez who missed his attempt.
With AFP
#Atlético #Madrid #eliminates #Inter #Milan #reaches #quarterfinals