Determined Atlético hold firm to oust Bayern
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
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Bayern 2-1 Atlético (agg: 2-2; Atlético win on away goals)
Antoine Griezmann's strike early in the second half proved decisive as Atlético reached a second UEFA Champions League final in three years.
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- Atlético reach second final in three years by beating Bayern on away goals
- Xabi Alonso's deflected free-kick levels tie before Jan Oblak saves Thomas Müller penalty
- Antoine Griezmann races clear to fire Atlético level on night
- Robert Lewandowski header not enough to prevent Bayern's third straight last-four exit
- Atlético will face either Manchester City or Real Madrid in the final in Milan on 28 May
Atlético Madrid reached the UEFA Champions League final for the second time in three years as Antoine Griezmann's second-half strike proved enough to edge out Bayern München in a match in which both sides missed penalties.
Having won all five of their home games in this season's competition, Bayern seized the early initiative only to find the Atlético defence as well drilled as ever. David Alaba's lofted pass did catch them out but Thomas Müller unselfishly squared for Robert Lewandowski and Jan Oblak was swiftly out to block.
The goalkeeper then fumbled Franck Ribéry's swerving 30-metre shot but recovered to pressurise Lewandowski into firing the rebound high. Atlético were under the cosh, and a minute past the half-hour fell behind, Xabi Alonso's free-kick deflecting off José María Giménez in the Atlético wall to wrongfoot Oblak.
Three minutes later Bayern looked set to double their advantage as Giménez held back Javi Martínez inside the area. Müller stepped up to take the spot kick only for Oblak to dive to his right and keep the aggregate scores level.
Bayern had done all the attacking of note and continued to throw men forward after the break, only to be caught cold nine minutes after the restart. Antoine Griezmann nodded Koke's pass to Fernando Torres and raced clear on to the return ball, keeping his composure to slot his seventh goal in this season's competition past Manuel Neuer.
Oblak had to save from Alonso and Lewandowski, and then Bayern had a glimmer with 16 minutes remaining. Alaba's cross was brilliantly headed across goal by Arturo Vidal and Lewandowski could not miss from close range.
Those hopes were nearly snuffed out when Javi Martínez felled Torres as the striker broke towards goal; Neuer came to the rescue, pushing away the Atlético No9's penalty.
Bayern breathed again, but were unable to capitalise on their reprieve. Instead it is three straight semi-final exits, all to Spanish opposition; Atlético will get the chance to go one better than their 2014 final defeat in Milan on 28 May.
Analysis from Jordan Maciel at the Fußball Arena München
Key Player: Jan Oblak
His penalty save to deny Müller stopped Bayern going 2-0 up at a time when the hosts were in control. His heroics continued in the second half, acting as a superb last line of defence for Atlético who held on by the skin of their teeth.
Atlético weather Bayern storm
As is often the case in Munich, Bayern flew out of the blocks with a relentless barrage of attacks and Atlético were fortunate not to be behind on aggregate by half-time. But in the second period the effects of a long season took their toll on Josep Guardiola's side and a brief drop in concentration opened the door for the Rojiblancos to score the all-important away goal.
Costly Müller miss
Müller's missed penalty three minutes after Alonso's free-kick would have given Bayern the advantage for the first time in this tie. The way they were playing the floodgates may have opened, but instead it was Atlético who scored next to regain the upper hand. Despite having 35 shots on goal to their opponents' seven, Guardiola's side fell short.