To the semi-finals of the UEFA champions league, Atletico Madrid had the upper hand going into their second leg encounter with Bayern Munich at the Alianz Arena after Saul Niguez’s superb strike gave the Spanish side a 1-0 win last week.
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Despite winning 2-1 on the night, Tuesday’s exit saw Bayern drop out of Europe’s elite-club competition at the semi-final stage for the third successive season.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Spain, Bayern levelled the tie through Xabi Alonso’s deflected free-kick.
The Germans had the chance to double their advantage when Gimenez held back Javi Martínez but Thomas Muller’s low penalty was well saved by Atletico keeper Jan Oblak.
Griezmann scored in the 54th to put Atletico in the driving seat, before Robert Lewandowski headed Bayern back in front on the night in the 74th to set up a furious finale.
However, the Spaniard said after Bayern went out to Atletico Madrid on away goals that he has “given his life” to Bayern, whom he is to leave at the end of the season for Manchester City.
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone says his side’s “thrilling” Champions League semi-final success over Bayern Munich was like the final moments in a movie.
“We were superior. We controlled the game, but we did not finish off the chances we had”, he said.
“We want to win the tournament”, said the 32-year-old Torres, who won the 2012 Champions League title while at Chelsea.
Simeone told his club’s official website afterwards: “It was a fantastic first half from Bayern”.
The Frenchman raced clear after a through ball from Fernando Torres to beat Neuer into the near post corner, giving Bayern a task of another two goals to ensure progression.
“Becoming champions is very nice but very hard”.
“It was very intense and I’m so proud of this team”.
Pep Guardiola has delivered an impassioned response to his critics after Bayern Munich were knocked out of the Champions League.
“You are disappointed when you do not play well”.
“Then came the goal and that calmed us down”. We did many things right and a few things wrong.
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“We have the chance to create history”, he said. “We meet again. A final with Atletico is always special”. “We played very well in the second half in Madrid and the match here”, Guardiola said.
