Manchester, United Kingdom, April 5, 2022 (AFP) – Manchester City took a small step towards the semi-finals of the Champions League by defeating Atletico Madrid 1-0, Tuesday, in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the continental championship. .
A goal from Belgium’s (70) Kevin De Bruyne put City ahead in the second leg in Madrid next week after a duel in which it looked like Atletico would do less damage to leave Manchester with a chance to turn around in the second leg.
“It was a very close match and very difficult because they are the masters defending each other behind,” City coach Pep Guardiola told Movistar+ after the match.
“We managed to stop them from running too much and didn’t give them any chance. In the end it was a matter of patience and Kevin (De Bruyne) scored a goal,” the coach said.
Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak was optimistic in an interview with Movistar+. “We came to achieve a good result, and we lost, but with 1-0 the dispute still exists,” he said.
The match came after what was expected with City monopolizing the ball with more than 65% possession against the Rojiblanco team, who closed behind him, looking for a counter-attack.
It was necessary to wait for the second half to see more emotions in a balanced match in the first half, without any of the teams creating a real danger.
City were unable to break through the barrier of Atletico, who defended themselves with all their players at a distance of only 20 metres, and goalkeeper Ederson became an outstanding spectator during the first half.
The Citizens, too slow to move the ball to frighten Atletico, tried their luck with long-range shots such as Ilkay Gundogan (22) and John Stones (42).
Guardiola’s players tried to enter from the wings, especially on the right side, where Joao Cancelo and Riyad Mahrez appeared, but only to make cross passes that were easily saved by Oblak.
Atlético did not leave their area until the first half, but after the break they advanced their defense and increased the pressure to get more chances on the counter-attack.
Marcos Llorente stunned with a shot in the area saved by Ederson (51), but City responded with a free kick from Kevin De Bruyne from the edge of the area that forced Jan Oblak (55) to extend.
– Foden and De Bruyne change the game – With the match cut short, the two coaches moved the bench in search of options for their teams and speeded up the match, but the changes were better for Pep Guardiola.
City’s greater speed in handling the ball in their match had its reward when Phil Foden, who had just entered the field in place of Mahrez (68), played a ball in the area as De Bruyne appeared to open the scoring (70.).
Foden made the difference in City’s attack to overcome the wall erected by Atletico Madrid.
The two goal champions almost repeated the dose in another triangle, headed by De Bruyne with a shot that was pushed out by defender Stefan Savic (80).
Despite being at a disadvantage, Atlético did not panic, did not hesitate to endure the harassment of the hosts and tried to resist leaving the Etihad Stadium “alive”.
The ‘rojiblancos’ only attempted a few timid counterattacks which were quickly neutralized by pressure from the City players.
In the final minutes, City devoted himself to managing the match to ensure a victory that would allow him to face the return leg in Madrid with an advantage.
“It was a very tactical match and I played really well looking for what everyone believed in,” Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said.
Simeone confirmed: “Now we will try to win the match. They are winning 1 to 0 and we are following the result with humility, but with great confidence.”
./bds/gr/iga/aam
“Lifelong web fan. Incurable internet junkie. Avid bacon guru. Social media geek. Reader. Freelance food scholar.”
