A draw next week in Germany would be enough for Diego Simeone’s side to reach the final for the second time in the past three seasons. “Poor selection from Pep”, read the headline on Bild’s front page, questioning why the Bayern coach began the game without Mueller, “his best scorer away from home in the Champions League”, or French winger Franck Ribery. “He is very strong, good in the one-on-ones”.
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Atletico Madrid vs Bayern Munich promised to be an enticing encounter on so many levels, and it more than delivered.
“We have to play at a different pace in the second leg”, said Guardiola.
It was a bad night for the German Champions, with their coach Pep Guardiola who protested after the game that his team played well and created chances.
Saul was born in the city of Elche and moved Atletico’s city rival, Real Madrid, from his hometown club at the age of 11 only to quickly leave.
“We had a slow start”, Guardiola said.
“But the first and foremost thing is to make sure this group of players, this squad of players can make sure we are Premier League outfit next year. One of the best goals in this Champions League so we’re really happy that his goal”.
“We didn’t think we’d have so many chances to score in the second half as we did, but we didn’t use them”, Lahm told ZDF.
Bayern lost the first legs of their semi-finals in the previous two seasons to Real Madrid and Barcelona on their way out of the competition. It was the team’s ninth loss in 13 trips to Spain.
“Saul selecion!” they chanted. Mehdi Benatia and Vidal also went close before the end of the game.
Both attempts required hard saves by Oblak, who has kept a clean sheet in five straight games.
That brought Saul into the penalty area, where a step over engineered space inside Alaba to curl a left-footed shot in off the base of Manuel Neuer’s right-hand post.
However, while Guardiola was impressed with Niguez’s goal and ability, he warned against comparing the young Spaniard to the player many consider to be the best player in the world, ever.
As the second half carried on Atletico found themselves fighting away Bayern who at this pointed had 80% of the possession, Griezemann had to do his bit and got earned a free kick, Munich replaced Thiago with Muller.
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It was the teams’ first meeting since the 1974 European final, when Bayern won the first of its five titles.
