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Atletico Madrid 0-0 Real Madrid: UEFA Champions League

By Kris Whelan

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Atleico Madrid held rivals Real Madrid to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Champions League quarter final clash

The Champions League quarter final started out with the intensity it was expected to with both teams desperate to get the win over their rivals. From the opening moments of the game there were strong challenges going in from both teams while Real Madrid‘s Gareth Bale had a great chance of scoring but Atletico Madrid‘s Oblak did well to save.

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Real Madrid haven’t scored in their rivals’ stadium in quite some time and their last fixture here finished 4-0 to Ateltico,  something that has put Real fans on edge coming in to this game. Real’s star man Ronaldo took a free kick from a long way out but as only he can do, the keeper was under severe pressure to save it.

The first half was filled with Real Madrid peppering the Oblak’s goal, the Atletico keeper was forced to make six good saves throughout the opening 45 minutes. You couldn’t argue with the tempo with Real’s attacking, but they failed the composure and killer instinct to make it count.

The second half was a very scrappy affair with both teams picking up a few yellow cards. Sergio Ramos and Mario Mandžukić were constantly battling one another and there were some dirty incidents, one of which involved an elbow causing a blood injury to the Atletico striker.

There weren’t many goal scoring opportunities worth talking about and the game was disappointing for the most part. I feel as though Atletico will be happier with the result than their opponents, not conceding an away goal is a huge bonus going in to the second leg.

Even though the second leg is in Real’s stadium, Atletico will go in to the game as favorites. The away goal rule is in their favor now and that often plays a big roll in European ties. Diego Simeone has proven on a few occasions that he can mastermind a win over two legs against the best managers in the world.

Real Madrid’s last home Champions League saw them go through despite losing 4-3 to Schalke 04. They were booed off the pitch by their own fans, and a similar performance will no doubt see them earn a Champions League exit.

The tie is finely poised for the return leg and we’re all just hoping the second game will have more goal scoring opportunities.

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