MADRID, Feb. 18 -- A fourth-minute goal from Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez gave Atletico Madrid a 1-0 lead in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie at home on Tuesday to reigning European champions, Liverpool.
Atletico had to defend for the majority of the game but kept their discipline and shape and a clean sheet gives them a good chance of qualifying for the last 16 in the return leg at Anfield in three weeks.
Liverpool was slow out of the blocks and in the opening moments, Atletico was able to pin them in their own half and got an early reward when Saul swept home from close range after Alvaro Morata outjumped everyone following a corner.
After a poor opening 10 minutes, Liverpool began to take control of the ball, but all they were able to produce for all their passes were a couple of dangerous crosses from Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Atletico had two good chances on the break, one of which was flicked away by Robertson and the other which was well saved by Alisson Becker after Morata turned well in the Liverpool area.
Liverpool's best first-half chance came when Mohamed Salah's effort was deflected over by Felipe, while an Alexander-Arnold cross flashed across the Atletico goal evading everyone.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone made a defensive change at halftime, replacing Thomas Lemar with Marcos Llorente, while Divorok Origi came on for Sadio Mane, who had been booked in the first half and slightly lucky to avoid a second yellow.
Liverpool pinned Atletico in their own half and Salah headed wide when he should have hit the target seven minutes into the second half in a rare loss of concentration from the Atletico defense.
Morata slipped when well placed in a rare Atletico excursion from their own half, while Jordan Henderson fired just wide at the other end a couple of minutes before he went off injured to be replaced by James Milner.
The game opened up in the closing minutes, but Atletico's defense kept its shape and the fact is their keeper Jan Oblak didn't have to make a save all night.
国际英语资讯:UN chief reiterates two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict
国际英语资讯:U.S. Secretary of State arrives in Cairo to start Mideast tour
体坛英语资讯:English Premier side Arsenal to visit Uganda next year
国内英语资讯:China Focus: Chinese welcome prosperity with New Year traditions, anti-poverty war
国内英语资讯:Chinas centrally administered SOEs see surging assets in past five years
体坛英语资讯:Udinese ink deal for Brazilian striker Vizeu
国内英语资讯:Famed Chinese village benefits from share-holding reform
近几年,汉语中的狗文化好像变了
体坛英语资讯:World champ Obiri may double up at World Indoor championships
五个科学方法让你更快走出失恋痛苦
“北京爷们”马布里宣布退役
剑桥大学引入性侵匿名举报 9个月收到近200起投诉
国内英语资讯:1st LD-Writethru: Religions should better adapt to socialist society: Vice Premier
美国报告称巴基斯坦武器库威胁美国区域利益
剑桥大学引入性侵匿名举报 9个月收到近200起投诉
真淡定!芬兰教练冬奥赛场打毛线 四年前索契他就这么干
国内英语资讯:China creates over 66 mln urban jobs in 5 years
国际英语资讯:Egypts Sisi underlines importance to boost Egyptian-U.S. ties
我国城镇家庭看重校外教育
各国央行应打击比特币
Top dog?
日本一小学定制阿玛尼校服遭投诉 校方:能彰显地位
体坛英语资讯:Bayern, Leverkusen progress in German Cup semifinals
TED演讲:区块链将如何改变金钱与贸易
蜜月不愉快会不会导致出轨
Don’t Be So Mean 别那么苛刻
体坛英语资讯:A moment of pride and joy: Chinese delegation raises national flag at Winter Games
国内英语资讯:Chinas 12th NPC standing committee to convene session
国内英语资讯:PLA deputies elected to top legislature
伊朗称苏非派示威者与警方冲突5人丧生