With a great goal from Álvarez, Atlético beats Barcelona 2-0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals

BARCELONA (AP) — Atlético Madrid scored twice after Barcelona went all the way down to 10 males to say a beneficial 2-0 away victory on Wednesday and take a lead in their Champions League quarterfinal matchup.

An outstanding free kick from Argentina’s Julián Álvarez and a second goal from Alexander Sorloth gave Diego Simeone his first victory at the Camp Nou since the veteran Atlético coach started his time with the membership 15 years in the past.

“I believe that there were several coaches who have not had to win (with Atleti at the Camp Nou) or there are very few, or rather, who have had to win,” mentioned the Argentine Simeone, whose group had overwhelmed Barcelona when it performed at the Olympic Stadium in 2024, however by no means at its typical residence. “I think that today we were very forceful and that makes me happy for the effort of the footballers.”

The blaugranas had locked Atlético in their space when the hosts obtained a double blow that left Hansi Flick’s group one man much less and down on the scoreboard simply earlier than half-time.

The sequence that modified the recreation started when Giuliano Simeone, the son of the Atlético coach, escaped to hook a deep ball. Barça defender Pau Cubarsí introduced him down on the edge of the space, with solely goalkeeper Joan García forward.

After initially exhibiting Cubarsí a yellow card, the referee modified it to a purple one after reviewing the video.

The state of affairs bought worse for Barça seconds later, when Álvarez successfully positioned the ensuing free kick over the defensive barrier and beat a García who flew in useless to make it 1-0 in the forty fifth minute.

“That play conditioned it. Their goal changed it a little,” mentioned Ronald Araújo, the Uruguayan defender of the Catalan group.

Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford tried to revive Barça at the Camp Nou and stored the stress on Atlético regardless of the numerical inferiority.

But that tried response fell aside when substitute Alexander Sorloth escaped Gerard Martín’s mark whereas shifting to the close to publish and poked residence Matteo Ruggeri’s cross to increase the lead with 20 minutes remaining.

Barcelona’s hopes of ending an 11-year wait so as to add to its five-time European Cup haul now rely upon a huge win in Madrid on Tuesday.

Also on Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain beat Liverpool 2-0 in the first leg of their quarterfinal.

On Tuesday, Bayern Munich gained 2-1 at Real Madrid, whereas Arsenal defeated Sporting Lisbon 1-0.

Barcelona has gained the aforementioned 5 European Cups and Atlético has misplaced three finals. The Catalan membership has a higher total document in direct confrontations towards Simeone’s group.

However, relating to the Champions League, Atlético has discovered the benefit. Simeone’s group beat a star-studded Barcelona group led by Lionel Messi in the identical section of the competitors in 2014 and 2016.

And one other grasp class in Simeone’s soccer, of bending however not breaking, has stopped a Barcelona group led by Yamal who drew exclamations from Barcelona followers along with his showy dribbles, however was visibly annoyed by not discovering that capturing angle or the excellent move.

Atlético remained disciplined defensively, content material even with an additional man to let Barcelona preserve possession, and made the most of their possibilities.

Barcelona generated 19 photographs to Atlético’s 5, which included only one in the second half — when Sorloth overwhelmed his marker to increase the lead.

Zero goal. two objectives in the bag and a step in direction of their first semi-final since 2017.

“The semifinal is very far away, 90 minutes or more,” warned Colchonero striker Antoine Griezmann. “Calmness, confidence and feet on the ground.”

Atlético misplaced central defender David Hancko — the group’s most used participant this season — to what gave the impression to be a leg harm on the half hour mark. He was changed by Marc Pubill and the protection did not discover the distinction.

Rashford was unable to make the most of his begin in place of the injured Raphinha regardless of creating the most harmful possibilities of both group with the rating nonetheless 0-0. The striker on mortgage from Manchester United made three photographs inside the space that have been saved by goalkeeper Juan Musso, earlier than Atlético took the lead, and a free kick in the second half that grazed the crossbar.

Araújo said that Barça is succesful of reversing the tie: “It is difficult in their field and, if there is someone who can do it, it is us. We have to have a positive mentality and they can trust us. We are going to go look for the comeback.”

Barcelona midfielder Pedri González was changed at half-time, Flick mentioned, as a precaution with out specifying his discomfort.

Álvarez’s goal was his fifteenth in his final 18 video games in Europe’s prime membership competitors.

It was additionally the Argentine striker’s ninth goal in the competitors this season, making him the Atlético participant with the most objectives in a single Champions League season.

Wednesday’s match at the Camp Nou was the second of three conferences between Barcelona and Atlético in a span of 11 days. Barcelona gained 2-1 away in the Spanish La Liga to strengthen their lead on Saturday. In February, Atlético additionally beat Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

Before kick-off, a minute’s silence was noticed in reminiscence of the great Romanian footballer Mircea Lucescu, who died this week aged 80.

AP Sports: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes