After Atletico had beaten Bayern 1-0 in Madrid, Griezmann’s crucial away goal in Munich means Diego Simeone’s Atletico will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City in the final.
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An enthralling second leg in Munich saw a first-half Xabi Alonso free-kick level the scores at 1-1 on aggregate.
Europe’s flagship club competition will see the final take place in Milan on May 28, with Atletico set to meet the victor from the other semi-final between Real Madrid and Manchester City, which is set for Wednesday.
With Bayern now on the backfoot and needing two more goals to advance, Atletico grew bolder and Juanfran’s shot on the hour sailed narrowly wide. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough.
For the past three years under Pep Guardiola, Bayern Munich have been knocked by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid and strangely, all three clubs are vying for the La Liga title this season.
Guardiola insisted repeatedly that he was proud of his “excellent players” and wished the team “the best for the future”.
Guardiola also said he had no regrets about his team selection to face Atletico, having recalled Muller, Franck Ribery and Jerome Boateng in making three changes from the side who lost the first leg. “I’ve been happy to work here because of these players”, he said.
“The second half was more even. We went out very well in the counter-attack that resulted in the goal and that allowed us to have an advantage”.
“We’re very sad, but we still have two trophies that we hope to win. Today the best didn’t advance, they were eliminated”.
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‘A few months ago I used to think we needed a forward to push Aguero but Kelechi Iheanacho has a frightening record and is excelling in his role. “But the lads showed great composure at the end of the game, it was not easy, we have gone through to the final, with so much joy”. We controlled possession, but didn’t seize it. They take their opportunities well, and that’s why they move into the final. “We searched for everything and fought for everything, but just couldn’t get there”.
