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.
2016届北师大版高三一轮总复习英语课时作业5
2016高三英语总复习 Unit 24 Society课时作业 北师大版
2016届北师大版高三一轮总复习英语课时作业30
2016届北师大版高三一轮总复习英语课时作业7
国内英语资讯:CPC sharpens teeth against discipline violations
国际英语资讯:Instant noodle maker says Chinese mainland business as usual
2016届北师大版高三一轮总复习英语课时作业28
再也不怕节日浪费:剩饭剩菜的正确储藏和保鲜方式
国际英语资讯:New UN chief calls for reform, collective efforts to achieve UN goals
特雷莎·梅发表新年贺词:面对“脱欧”需要团结
2016届北师大版高三一轮总复习英语课时作业18
2016届北师大版高三一轮总复习英语课时作业14
体坛英语资讯:Zidane admits he wants Pepe to sign new Madrid deal
2016届北师大版高三一轮总复习英语课时作业26
2016届北师大版高三一轮总复习英语课时作业21
2016届北师大版高三一轮总复习英语课时作业23
国内英语资讯:Chinas top leadership urges more efforts to ensure food safety
2016届北师大版高三一轮总复习英语课时作业22
2016高三英语总复习 Unit 22 Environmental Protection课时作业 北师大版
体坛英语资讯:Hull City manager Phelan sacked
体坛英语资讯:Chilean national soccer team eyes China Cup title
国际英语资讯:Turkey to extend state of emergency for 3 more months
体坛英语资讯:Loeb wins Dakar Rally stage 2, takes overall lead
2016届北师大版高三一轮总复习英语课时作业13
体坛英语资讯:Away sides on top in Kings Cup as Valencias misery continues
2016届北师大版高三一轮总复习英语课时作业1
2016届北师大版高三一轮总复习英语课时作业6
2016届北师大版高三一轮总复习英语课时作业8
2016届北师大版高三一轮总复习英语课时作业3
2016届北师大版高三一轮总复习英语课时作业16