Atletico Madrid have taken an enormous step in the direction of qualifying for the final 16 of the Champions League, as they defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in an gripping encounter on the Metropolitano, that means that each La Liga golf equipment have been victorious after Barcelona’s gorgeous comeback victory at Benfica.
Diego Simeone made two adjustments to the aspect that misplaced to Leganes final weekend, with Jose Maria Gimenez and Marcos Llorente returning to the line-up. Atleti have been tasked with bouncing again from their first non-victory in 15 matches, though their goal began poorly as Pablo Barrios was despatched off for a excessive problem on Leverkusen defender Nordi Mukiele.
Atleti have been backs in opposition to the wall at that time, and their efforts to see the match out till half time didn’t go properly. In stoppage time earlier than the interval, Leverkusen took the lead as Mukiele’s cross to the again put up was headed house by fellow full-back Piero Hincapie.
Regardless of the person drawback, Atleti got here out properly within the second half, and on 53 minutes, they pressured an equaliser courtesy of Julian Alvarez. The Argentine striker did so properly to get on to Antoine Griezmann’s by ball, and he completed prolifically when confronted with the chance in opposition to Leverkusen goalkeeper Matej Kovar.
Atleti had performed for precisely 50 minutes with one much less participant when Leverkusen have been additionally diminished to 10 males after goalscorer Hincapie noticed a second yellow after a foul on Giuliano Simeone. From that time, proceedings have been extra even, though it was the hosts that scored the decisive aim.
Within the ninetieth minute, Angel Correa performed a superb ball into countryman Alvarez, and he stabbed house for his and Atleti’s second aim of the night, which sparked wild scenes contained in the Metropolitano.
In the long run, Atletico Madrid noticed out the match, and with that outcome, they’re now third within the league part standings, though they’ve performed yet another match than some group round them. Regardless, they know that victory at RB Salzburg subsequent week would imply that they’re mechanically although to the final 16 of the Champions League.