Atletico Madrid 2-0 Borussia Dortmund
It was billed by some Spanish media as the night for revenge.
Atletico Madrid, Europa League winners and twice Champions League finalists in recent years, were just humbled and on the wrong end of a 4-0 rout against the emerging German opponents just under a fortnight ago.
It was a result which stunned the Rojiblancos and left Borussia Dortmund top of Group A.
More than a few SBOBET followers were surprised at one of the shock Champions League 2018 news stories so far. This time, however, it was the moment for the return.
Highlights of the game
Aside from revenge, this contest was also likely to have a significant bearing on who would get the top spot in the group.
The Champions League 2018 betting odds—and my prediction—certainly favoured Atletico, but it had to be taken into account that they were missing four key players with Diego Godin, Koke, Thomas Lemar and Diego Costa all out, as was Stefan Savic.
It also had to be taken into consideration that while this has been the worst league start for Atletico in the Diego Simeone era, Dortmund were flying in Germany and unbeaten to date—winning 12 times and drawing three as they opened up a four-point lead at the summit of the Bundesliga.
But there is rarely a substitute for experience at this level, and that was the case inside the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano where the home fans dream of their club being in the final it is staging on June 1 next year.
Beset by injuries, coach Simeone elected to start Nikola Kalinic up front alongside Antoine Griezmann in a match some suggested was his latest audition to be crowned number one player on the planet.
Dortmund, perhaps with one eye on a crucial Bundesliga game at the weekend, named a strong team led by skipper Marco Reus.
He has been in superb form after scoring nine goals going into this one, six in the Bundesliga, two in the German Cup and one in the Champions League.
Yet, from the outset, it was clear Atletico were intent on doing most of the attacking.
Saul Niguez had tested visiting goalkeeper Roman Burki within the first minute, and he was called twice more into action inside the opening 12 minutes to deny Angel Correa.
The busy Correa also saw a shot blocked and tested Burki for a third time before the hosts took the lead.
Filipe Luis provided the delivery and Niguez’s left-footed shot did the rest with the aid of a deflection.
If Thomas Partey’s effort had not struck the crossbar shortly afterwards, following a Niguez pass, the contest may have been over by the break.
Apart from the odd break to ease the pressure, Dortmund were pressed back and Burki was the main man, saving a Luis effort before Niguez twice went close.
The loss of centre-back Jose Gimenez to a thigh injury at half-time did little to disrupt the momentum, even if the chances slowed up a little.
Correa was the next to go close after being found by Juanfran. Dortmund finally had a chance to write home about, with Raphael Guerreiro (a two-goal hero in the first meeting in Germany) heading over from close range shortly after entering the fray.
Dortmund, who knew victory would clinch top spot in the group with two matches to spare, had another effort from Manuel Akanji. However, just when it looked like Atletico’s lead may not be safe, the game-clinching second came.
Just as Dortmund had made Atletico suffer on the counter-attack last time, Partey led a fast break and Griezmann’s shot found the bottom right-hand corner.
The devastating counter sealed the victory and Atletico were back on track as Griezmann marked his 50th Champions League appearance in style.
Key statistics
Niguez’s goal was the first Dortmund have conceded in Europe this season.
The injury to Gimenez led to only a second ever appearance for 19-year-old Francisco Montero.
He wears special glasses as a protective measure from a damaged retina he suffered last year while playing for the club’s youth team.
Atletico have lost just one of their last 15 Champions League home games—against Chelsea in last season’s group stage.
Atletico now play the remainder of their matches in November at home. This was the first of four successive home clashes for the capital city club.
Top of Form
What’s next?
It’s Athletic Club of Bilbao next for Atletico.
Then, following the international break, Rojiblancos face Barcelona in a big La Liga clash before welcoming doomed Monaco in Group A of the Champions League.
It’s the big one for Dortmund next. They host reigning champions and arch rivals Bayern Munich this weekend.
Victory in that one would spark genuine belief Lucien Favre’s men are ready to mount a genuine title challenge.
After that and the international break, they travel to Mainz before resuming their Champions League campaign at home to Club Brugge of Belgium.
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