He Atlético de Madrid has managed its advantage from the first leg to eliminate Tottenham (3-2; 5-7 on aggregate) and will play the quarterfinals of the Champions League against FC Barcelona.
Diego Pablo Simeone’s men have resisted this Wednesday Spurs and despite the defeat in London, it has certified its pass to the next round of the highest continental competition.
After 5-2 in the first leg, it was clear that the English team would go all out and they did. However, the first scare came from the colchoneros, with a goal disallowed for offside by Lookman in the 6th minute.
Tottenham tried it in many ways, particularly from set pieces. Although really alone Mathys Tel created danger. And it was precisely with a cross from the omnipresent French attacker on the half hour mark that the first goal arrived. A ball hanging from him was headed almost at will by Randal Kolo Muani at the far post, who caught the Atleti defense out of position.
The Spanish team had bad times and Juan Musso avoided the second with a great save from Tel’s shot – who else – after a very quick combination by the locals.
Griezmann, leader and guide
Only the good work of the experienced and talented Antoine Griezmann allowed Cholo’s team to take a breath. And in fact before the break Atlético was on the verge of tying, although they ran into another great goalkeeper in front of them, Guglielmo Vicar, who made a stoppage handball changed to Giuliano Simeone’s shot.
Of course, after the restart Atlético equalized in a counterattack launched by Griezmann, led by Giuliano and in which Ademola Lookman ended up assisting Julián Álvarezwho on the turn sent the ball into the squad. The Spider It stings again as usual.
The match continued at a frenetic pace. Archie Gray stole a ball in the center of the field, he combined with Xavi Simmons and the Dutchman trained in Barcelona took a great shot close to the post from the front to get his team back into the tie.
In that give and take, David Hancko again achieved the tie by heading a corner kick from Julián, who is very good at set pieces tonight.
Finally, José María Giménez committed a penalty and Simmons transformed it to give the Spurs fans the consolation of victory in the second leg, a meritorious victory given the delicate situation that the team is going through, weakened by a plague of casualties and close to the relegation spots in the Premier.
And however Tottenham turned out fourth in the league of the Champions League, now Atlético keeps that place seeded and will have the field factor in their favor in the quarterfinals against Barcelona, according to the new competition rules this season.
And the fact is that their opponent in that next round, Barcelona – who for their part eliminated Newcastle with a rout – was just below – fifth – in that first phase. Thus, Barcelona – Atlético will be with the first leg at the Camp Nou and the return leg at the Metropolitano in April. And it will be a reissue of the recent Cup semi-final tie del Rey, won by Atlético.
