Saúl volley gives Atlético three points at PSV
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Article summary
Saúl Ñíguez's memorable first-half volley won the day for Atlético Madrid in Eindhoven, thanks to Jan Oblak's penalty save from PSV midfielder Andrés Guardado.
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After two goalless draws between PSV Eindhoven and Atlético Madrid last season, it was almost inevitable that these sides would counter the trend and serve up an exciting encounter.
Just as things appeared to be cooling down after a breakneck opening in which PSV's Luuk de Jong had a goal chalked out and both teams had further chances, the game truly sparked into life just before half-time.
Saúl Ñíguez's stunning 43rd-minute volley brought a moment of exquisite quality to the Group D contest. Jan Oblak then knocked the wind out of PSV's sails as he wonderfully kept out Andrés Guardado's well-struck penalty in added time and the Dutch champions were unable to get back into the match after the interval.
Key player: Saúl Ñíguez (Atlético)
The difference between the sides. The 21-year-old's stunning effort to break the deadlock between these teams in what was their third meeting of 2016 was worthy of winning any game – and in finding the net he became the top-scoring Spaniard in the UEFA Champions League since the start of last season. His tireless energy in the middle of the park cannot be understated, either.
Oblak's penalty prowess
Though he has not kept out a penalty in either of the last two shoot-outs Atlético have contested in the UEFA Champions League, Jan Oblak is proving an immovable object when facing down a striker from the spot during normal time.
After denying Thomas Müller in last term's semi-final, he made it two saves from his last two penalties faced in the competition by powerfully repelling Guardado's well-struck effort on the stroke of half-time. Had it gone in, the game would have completely changed for the second period.
Reporter's view
Joe Walker, Atlético (@UEFAcomJoeW)
Atlético will be pleased to see the back of PSV until matchday five. Phillip Cocu's set-up made life difficult for the visitors, who were second best for much of the first half. Nevertheless they dug in, rode the storm and this fixture's only genuine moment of quality sealed the result in their favour. Diego Simeone will not be happy with how quickly his team almost abandoned their lead, but will take the three points onto the visit of Bayern München in a fortnight's time.
