Atlético de Madrid v Barcelona: Cancelo tried, ex-Benfica man fell short | OneFootball

Just as in 2014 and 2016, Atlético Madrid once again knocked Barcelona out in the Champions League quarter-finals. Despite a 2-1 home defeat, the ‘colchoneros’ finished the tie ahead after winning the first leg 2-0, and now await Arsenal or Sporting in the semi-finals.

On Tuesday, Hansi Flick kept João Cancelo in the starting line-up, opting for Gavi, Fermín and Ferrán Torres instead of Pau Cubarsí – sent off in the first leg – Rashford and Lewandowski. Simeone, meanwhile, only made one change in central defence, with Hancko making way for Lenglet.

Wasting no time, Barcelona attacked through the middle, with Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo drifting from their usual positions. After Musso came out on top in an early attempt, Barcelona’s number 10 opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Simeone’s men were wasteful playing out from the back, and Ferrán Torres set up the talented Spanish winger for his sixth Champions League goal, and his 23rd of the season for Barcelona.

Although Griezmann threatened in the 23rd minute, Ferrán Torres levelled the tie a minute later (2-0, 2-2 on aggregate). Again involved, Dani Olmo released the Catalan number 7, who fired home his 19th goal of the season, and his third in two matches.

The ball was back in play and Barcelona had one hand on the “comeback”, but Musso denied Fermín. Atlético Madrid’s defence looked non-existent, such was the disarray. The ‘colchoneros’ owe their place in the semi-finals to the Argentine goalkeeper, who is making the most of injured Jan Oblak’s absence, the former Benfica man - who brings major news.

It took until the half-hour mark for Atlético to slow the tempo and respond. In the 31st minute, to be precise, Ademola Lookman put the Madrid side back in front in the tie (3-2). The Nigerian speedster scored his team’s second goal in the millionaires’ competition.

In a second half that was more tense than clear-cut, the main figures faded. Even so, VAR ruled out Ferrán Torres’s second goal in the 55th minute, when the Spaniard took advantage of a rebound in the Madrid box. Amid substitutions, fouls and cards, Barcelona were reduced to 10 men in the 79th minute – after centre-back Eric García was sent off – handing the tie to Simeone’s battalion.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.