Atlético hold on to reach the last four again
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Article summary
Atlético are through to the semi-finals for the third time in four seasons but only after enduring a second-half onslaught from a Leicester side who refused to go down without a fight.
Article top media content
Article body
Atlético Madrid survived a second-half onslaught from Leicester to reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the third time in four seasons.
Home hopes appeared all but extinguished when Saúl Ñíguez's fine header midway through the first half left the Foxes needing to score three. But Jamie Vardy's reply just after the hour rekindled the dream and for a time a sensational comeback was on the cards.
- All the action as it happened
- In-depth match statistics
- The story of the match in photos
- Behind the scenes gallery
With the waspish Vardy popping up everywhere, Leicester peppered the visitors' goal. Diego Simeone was even more animated than usual, yet his Atlético players held out, a series of committed last-ditch blocks maintaining their two-goal cushion.
So Atlético advance, with more of a limp than a march. Leicester's incredible debut adventure comes to an end – and true to form, they didn't go down without a fight.
Key player: Saúl Ñíguez
The Spaniard is renowned for his versatility, and his role on the right of midfield got the best out of his all-round skillset. We again witnessed his capacity to pop up in key matches with a moment of true quality. He positioned himself perfectly to meet Filipe Luís's centre and sent it back across Kasper Schmeichel and into the net. He is building up an impressive collection of crucial goals: Bayern, Real Madrid and now this.
Shakespeare's switches
For a managerial novice Craig Shakespeare has certainly shown he is a fast learner. In the first leg his half-time switch to five across midfield helped curb the menace of Antoine Griezmann. Here his introduction of Leonardo Ulloa and Ben Chilwell transformed the contest too. Chilwell had a terrific 45 minutes down the left and helped set up the equaliser. Ulloa gave the Atleti defence something else to worry about as the Foxes went more direct.
Atleti take centre ground
Simeone prepped José María Giménez for the central midfield slot he filled so well here by deploying him in front of the back four at the weekend. The benefits were much more pronounced against a Leicester side with such aerial threat, the Uruguayan regularly dropping back to help out. The move also gave Saúl more freedom down the right, meaning he could slip in undetected to head the vital away goal.
Reporters' views
Simon Hart, Leicester (@UEFAcomSimonH)
A bridge too far for Leicester. This is a club, remember, who'd won one European tie in their entire history before September. Simply being in the quarter-finals against an Atleti team who've played two finals in the past three years, was something to celebrate. Hence the terrific sense of occasion with the colour and noise before kick-off. It would have been a pity had the contest fallen flat thereafter but Leicester came out and made a game of it in a breathless second half. It takes something to rattle Atleti, but Leicester managed it.
Richard Martin, Atlético (@UEFAcomRichardM)
Atlético are always up for a fight. They defended with backs to the wall for much of the second period, with four centre-backs on the pitch in the end. Leicester threw everything at them but it all came straight back. The Spaniards' resilient rearguard is one of the main reasons they have made the semi-finals three times in four seasons, although the quality of attacking players such as Saúl and Griezmann sure helps.