Atletico Madrid stunned Bayern Munich to advance to the Champions League Final
Bayern Munich were unquestionably the favorites in the Champions League from the very start as one of the most dominant clubs in the world every time that they take the pitch. As they’ve been privy to doing over the past few years, though, Atletico Madrid was ready to play spoilers and they proved that by winning 1-0 in the first leg in Madrid. That left them trying to hang on in the second leg on Tuesday, which only raised the stakes and the drama.
In the first half, it was all Bayern as they kept Atletico on their heels for the majority of the 45 minutes. They struck first after they earned a free kick right outside the box. Xabi Alonso peppered his shot right into the wall and the deflection found its way into the back of the net. Soon after, Atletico then conceded a penalty on a stupid play, but it was a huge save on the penalty by Jan Oblak that kept the Spanish side alive and holding on to a 1-1 tie on aggregate going into the half.
Both teams looked quite different after the respite, though, and Atletico was ready to strike. After a poor ball played forward by Bayern Munich, Atletico started a counter-attack with Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres working on top. Those two played a beautiful give-and-go that left Griezmann alone in the open field to fire a rocket past Manuel Neuer for a huge goal to go up 2-1 on aggregate and get an away goal.
Obviously the home Bayern side wasn’t going down without a fight, though, and it was the ever reliable Robert Lewandowski that scored on a header from a beautiful play by David Alaba and Arturo Vidal. However, they still needed another if they were to advance.
Despite Neuer saving a penalty and Bayern trying to create opportunities to score, it just wasn’t meant to be for the Germans. Atletico pulled off the enormous upset and moved on to the Champions League Finals.
Highlights
Best chance so far for Bayern, but Oblak makes himself big and denies Lewandowski. #FCBAtleti #UCL https://t.co/JatD0dSlaW
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 3, 2016
Xabi Alonso goes UNDER the Atletico wall to get Bayern Munich level on aggregate! @HeinekenSoccer #UCL https://t.co/m6fb2ygTaO
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 3, 2016
PK SAVE, Atletico! Jan Oblak dives to his right to deny Thomas Muller from the spot to keep it at 1-0. #UCL https://t.co/sGTk6m0NVr
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 3, 2016
Calm?! I AM calm! Atletico's Diego Simeone and Bayern's Franck Ribery got a little too close on the sideline. #UCL https://t.co/3Nmir2sCxH
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 3, 2016
Give Atletico one chance, and they'll take it! Griezmann's finish pushes Bayern to the brink. @HeinekenSoccer #UCL https://t.co/mc1xbHW28i
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 3, 2016
It's on! Lewandowski has Bayern sniffing at another comeback in the #UCL knockout stage. Can Atletico hold on? https://t.co/rFcezEzHfu
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 3, 2016
Neuer answers Oblak's PK save on Muller from the 1st half with one of his own on Torres. Scenes! #UCL https://t.co/s2f7zvpQRG
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 3, 2016
We may have seen the last of Diego Simeone this season... #UCL https://t.co/LNcVN4lfBM
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 3, 2016
Next Game
With the stunning upset, Atletico Madrid will now move on to the Champions League Final to face the winner of Manchester City and (let’s hope) Real Madrid.
For all your Champions League coverage, stay up to date with the FanSided Soccer hub.