Real Madrid are on their way to securing their second consecutive Champions League title, after a nail biting game against Atletico at the Vicente Calderón last night.
Trailing 3-0 from the first leg, Atletico came out all guns blazing. They surged the Real Madrid goal within the first 5 minutes, and a whipping cross met Koko at the near post forced a great save from Navas. Torres had the first chance to spark hopes in the hearts of Atletico fans, but his header from the corner was fired straight towards the ground and bounced over the cross bar.
Full of momentum and hope, Atletico took advantage of a panicky Real Madrid defence, and managed to get their first goal from an unstoppable Niguez header. Just four minutes later, Varane’s outstretched leg tripped Fernando Torres and the referee points to the penalty spot. With the memory of last year’s missed penalty against Real Madrid in the Champions League final hanging over his head, Griezman stepped up and confidently pulled of his Penake-style chip, just out of the reach of Navas and into the back of the net.
The Calderon was full of roars, Real Madrid were shocked and the chase was on. Real Madrid knew that one away goal would ask even more of Atletico as they would need a third, fourth and fifth to beat their City rivals, and that’s exactly what they got. Some incredibly fancy footwork from Karim Benzama saw him skip past not one, not two but three Atletico defenders, then pulling it back to Kroos who forced a save from Oblak; but Isco found himself in the right place at the right time as the parried shot sits up for him to calmly put the ball into the net, and Real Madrid into the final of the Champions League.
It’s not the first time Atletico have been eliminated by Real Madrid, in fact, they’ve been knocked out by the Champions four years in a row.
Zidane will be leading his side to the second Champions League final in his first 17 months as their manager, but there is one thing standing in his way of victory, and that’s Juventus. The Series A leaders have been admired for their impenetrable defence throughout the Champions League, and key players such as Alves and Mandzukic in form, they look like a force to be reckoned with.
The final will be played at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, 3rd June. Can Madrid do the double? Or, will the Juventus lift the trophy since beating Ajax 21 years ago?
