Atlético Madrid outsmart Bayern at home again
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Article summary
Like the first leg of last season's semi-final, Atlético Madrid ran out 1-0 victors at home to Bayern München though on this occasion Yannick Carrasco was the match winner.
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Yannick Carrasco's low drive proved decisive as Atlético Madrid defeated Bayern München 1-0 at home for the second time this year.
Five months on from the first leg of their 2015/16 UEFA Champions League semi-final, which the Spanish side won by a single goal, Carrasco settled this Group D contest with a shot in off Manuel Neuer's far post ten minutes before half-time.
The game continued in a similar fashion to their previous meeting, with Atlético protecting their lead and inviting Bayern to find a way through their mean defence.
They could not and it ought to have gotten worse for the Bundesliga leaders six minutes from time when Arturo Vidal fouled Filipe Luís in the penalty area. Antoine Griezmann, however, blasted his spot kick against the crossbar.
Key player: Yannick Carrasco (Atlético)
The match winner busied himself for 72 minutes before being substituted. The standing ovation he received from the fans, in part for his winning goal, was fully deserved.
Déjà vu in Madrid
Once again dominant in possession, Bayern failed to break down Atlético in a match that was all too similar to last season's encounter here. Carlo Ancelotti's men looked bereft of ideas at times – much to Atlético's credit.
Simeone still has Ancelotti's number.
Once rivals in the Spanish capital, Diego Simeone and Ancelotti know each other well. The Argentinian more often than not came out on top in Madrid derbies and tonight he secured his first continental success over his old adversary. He set his team up in an almost identical fashion to their semi-final win last term, sitting back and allowing the Bavarians to monopolise the ball while springing rapid counterattacks. It worked to perfection.
Reporters' views
Joe Walker, Atlético (@UEFAcomJoeW)
This was a brilliant home display from Atlético, who are now firmly in the driving seat in Group D. There have been some magic European nights down the years at the Vicente Calderón and this was another. From start to finish the atmosphere was akin to that of a knockout game and the standard of football was too.
Jordan Maciel, Bayern (@UEFAcomJordanM)
The job Simeone is doing never fails to impress me. Tonight he again got the better of Ancelotti while finding a way to prevent Bayern from scoring. The Bavarians looked far from their brilliant best and were wasteful in front of goal. Fortunately for them this is the group stage and not the knockouts.