Actual Madrid’s Moroccan ahead #21 Brahim Diaz (R) celebrates scoring his staff’s second objective with teammate Actual Madrid’s French ahead #09 Kylian Mbappe throughout the UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16 first leg soccer match between Actual Madrid CF and Membership Atletico de Madrid on the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, on March 4, 2025. (Picture: AFP)
MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Actual Madrid claimed a small edge on metropolis rivals Atletico Madrid with a good 2-1 Champions League last-16 first leg win on Tuesday.
Julian Alvarez levelled for Atletico after Rodrygo Goes despatched the hosts forward, however Brahim Diaz stroked dwelling the winner for the report 15-time winners to please the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
“I believe we performed an entire recreation at this time, (my) objective was good and it earned us the win, nevertheless it’s not over,” Diaz instructed Movistar.
“There’s nonetheless the second leg and we now have to present the whole lot, like we did at this time.”
Diego Simeone’s Atletico, who misplaced within the 2014 and 2016 finals towards their bitter rivals, stored stars Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe quiet however nonetheless got here up quick.
The Rojiblancos performed it secure within the remaining levels, seeming to just accept their one-goal drawback for the second leg derby conflict at dwelling subsequent week.
“For a second we had the sport below management, however we knew that it could not be a straightforward match, as a result of they had been at dwelling they usually have nice gamers,” mentioned Alvarez.
“However we all know there are 90 minutes to go… it’s one objective, and one other recreation, at dwelling with our followers.”
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti opted for Morocco worldwide Diaz in midfield to interchange the suspended Jude Bellingham and chosen Fede Valverde at right-back after he was handed match to play.
The Italian had demanded his facet present a greater perspective and extra dedication than throughout their La Liga defeat by Actual Betis on Saturday and his costs delivered.
“The second half was higher (than the primary), we labored exhausting, defended effectively, our goal was to take a small benefit and we did it,” mentioned Ancelotti.
Rodrygo pounced after simply 4 minutes, slipping inside Javi Galan to gather Valverde’s teasing move earlier than firing dwelling along with his left foot throughout Jan Oblak and contained in the far publish.
It was the Brazilian winger’s fifth strike of the match, habitually shining on the European stage for Madrid, the place he boasts 25 targets in 61 appearances.
His compatriot Vinicius got here near netting Madrid’s second as he surged into the field however Jose Gimenez blocked his shot effectively.
– ‘We’re alive’ –
Atletico started to create hazard of their very own and Valverde hacked away Giuliano Simeone’s whipped ball from below his personal crossbar below strain from Samuel Lino.
Alvarez levelled with an excellent particular person objective, dancing away from Eduardo Camavinga on the left of the field and curling his shot previous Thibaut Courtois into the highest nook.
The previous Manchester Metropolis striker has been in chic type previously few weeks, notching 10 targets in 14 matches and proving why Atletico made him their second most costly signing of all-time final summer time.
“They began higher… I believe the large plus from our staff was that we didn’t quit, we didn’t get stage fright after conceding so early,” mentioned Simeone.
“We began to play, to get into the sport, and to personal the ball extra, and play extra of their half.”
Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo De Paul helped Atletico hold management for lengthy durations, with Madrid discovering it exhausting to take the ball again from their rivals.
That made it all of the extra shocking when Diaz restored Los Blancos’ lead within the fifty fifth minute.
The midfielder left Gimenez on the ground with some fast footwork and carved out the house for a tidy low end, earlier than leaping into the group to have fun.
Griezmann fired vast and Gimenez over as Atletico seemed for a response and Ancelotti introduced on 39-year-old midfielder Luka Modric searching for extra management.
The Croatian delivered simply that and neither facet threatened within the remaining half hour of the match till stoppage time, when Madrid might need secured a 3rd.
Mbappe’s cut-back from the fitting was behind Vinicius who was ready for a tap-in, and Oblak saved from Modric within the aftermath.
Atletico host Actual Madrid subsequent week on the Metropolitano stadium, with the winner going through Arsenal or PSV Eindhoven within the quarter-finals.
“We’re alive (within the tie) and we now have to right the errors we made and go for it within the second leg,” mentioned Atletico midfielder Marcos Llorente.
