Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-04-10 21:43:30
Atletico Madrid secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final, with Rodrigo De Paul and Samuel Lino scoring in the first half. Despite a late goal from Sebastien Haller, Atletico managed to maintain their lead and will head into the second leg with an advantage.
Diego Simeone’s side came out strong from the start, looking to assert their dominance and secure a spot in the semi-finals for the first time since 2017. De Paul expressed his happiness with the win, emphasizing the strength of playing at home with the support of the fans.
Dortmund, led by Edin Terzic, fought back after a slow start and managed to make the match competitive. Despite not equalizing, Dortmund captain Emre Can acknowledged the tough challenge they faced and expressed satisfaction with the result, keeping the tie open for the return leg.
Atletico’s high press troubled Dortmund early on, leading to De Paul’s opening goal after a defensive mistake. Lino extended the lead with a well-taken goal, while Dortmund struggled to find their rhythm in attack without their top goalscorer, Donyell Malen.
The second half saw Dortmund putting in a stronger performance, with Jadon Sancho becoming more involved and Haller scoring a crucial goal to keep their hopes alive. However, Atletico’s solid defense, led by goalkeeper Jan Oblak, held firm to secure the victory.
Simeone celebrated his 50th Champions League victory as a coach, marking a significant milestone in his career. While Atletico have yet to win the Champions League, this result puts them in a good position to progress to the next round and continue their quest for European glory.
Overall, Atletico Madrid’s win over Borussia Dortmund showcased their strength and determination in the Champions League, setting the stage for an exciting second leg as both teams vie for a spot in the semi-finals.
