Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid as it happened: Isco leaves Atleti with too much to do despite bright start
Follow the updates as they happened from the Champions League semi-final second-leg at the Vicente Calderon
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Atletico Madrid have it all to do when they host rivals Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie, having suffered a 3-0 defeat at the Bernabeu last week.
- Five talking points ahead of Atletico and Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final showdown
- Atletico Madrid turn to the Vicente Calderon one last time to inspire the unlikeliest of comebacks
- Atletico Madrid defender Theo Hernandez passes medical at Real Madrid ahead of transfer
- Manchester United want to sign Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak to replace David de Gea
What time does it start?
The match kicks off at 7:45pm on Wednesday 10th May.
Where can I watch it?
It will be shown live on BT Sport 2 with coverage starting at 7pm. Highlights will be shown at 00:00 midnight the same evening.
Preview
Diego Simeone’s hopes of ending his team’s miserable European record against their rivals were dealt a severe blow in the first-leg of this Champions League semi-final tie. Atletico’s opportunity to avenge their defeats at the hands of Real Madrid in two Champions League finals since 2014 are bleak after conceding three without registering an all-important away goal.
While this encounter looks likely to be the last ever European match played at Atletico’s Vicente Calderon stadium, they will be determined to give their supporters something to shout about by making amends for their poor display at the Bernabeu last week.
The Rojiblancos could not have looked further from their usual selves and were out-fought in all departments as Cristiano Ronaldo ran riot at the other end, scoring his 47th career hat trick.
Both sides come into the match on the back of domestic wins; however it is Zidane’s players in the better form, having won all four games since their 2-3 defeat in April’s El Clasico; scoring 15 goals in the process. Real are level on points with table topping Barcelona but have a game in hand, making them favourites for the league title and therefore may choose to rotate slightly, with Sunday’s visit of Sevilla in mind.
Atletico can line up at almost full strength, with no new injuries to contend with. Centre back Gimenez is still out, while both right-backs Juanfran and Vrsaljko will also miss out, leaving it down to Lucas Hernandez to fill in at right-back again.
Real Madrid will see Gareth Bale, who is expected to return to training next week, fall just short of a comeback, while Raphael Varane could be involved subject to tests this week. Dani Carvajal was forced off for the third time in his career against Atletico due to a suspected muscular problem and will not make the second leg.
Overturning the 0-3 deficit is a daunting task for the home side, who will need their fans to create a hostile atmosphere and their players to battle if the visitors are to slip up. It would be uncharacteristic for a Diego Simeone team to take such a defeat lying down, which makes for what will be an interesting game in the Spanish capital.
It’s a big game for…
Antoine Griezmann. While Atletico’s first leg performance as a whole was hugely disappointing, Griezmann has come in for extra criticism simply because he is the player they so heavily rely upon. Failure to even threaten to score an away goal leaves his side’s hopes of progression extremely slim and the Frenchman will need to produce something special to give Atletico even a glimmer of hope.
Best stat
Between 2004 and 2013, there were red cards shown in half of the 22 Madrid derbies played.
Remember when…
Atletico Madrid beat their cross city rivals in two consecutive Liga meetings by a 3-1 scoreline in 1999
Player to watch...
Marcelo. Take a look at Real Madrid’s squad on paper and, even despite how highly rated Marcelo is, he may not be the first player you would consider as the difference maker. In a team which is littered with world class talent, the left-back is in fact instrumental to much of what Los Blancos do going forward, servicing his attackers effectively in wide positions with blistering pace and effective crosses.
He has also significantly improved as a defender as the seasons have passed and has become the ultimate all-rounder in his position.
Past three meetings…
Real Madrid 3 Atletico Madrid 0
Champions League, May 2017
Real Madrid 1 Atletico Madrid 1
La Liga, April 2017
Atletico Madrid 0 Real Madrid 3
La Liga, November 2016
Form
Atletico Madrid: WLWLW
Real Madrid: LWWWW
Odds
Atletico Madrid to win: 31/20
Real Madrid to win: 8/5
Draw: 49/20
68 mins: NO GOAL!
Luka Modric scuffs in a volley from around 25 yards and it appears that Ronaldo swept it in himself but the flag goes up! Replays show that not only did Ronaldo no necessarily get a touch on the ball, but he was also onside anyway! Let off for Atletico.
72 mins: There's just under 20 minutes remaining for Real to hold on to reach the final in Cardiff - and Benzema should have put them there! His header from a lovely Kroos cross goes inches wide of the upright. Should have been level on the night.
74 mins: Does Benzema have glue on his boots tonight? Another close-controlled dribble sees him get through the Atletico defence.
Double change for Real as Benzema and Casemiro are replaced by Asensio and Vazquez.
Koke is replaced by Correa for the hosts.
77 mins: And that should have been a goal for Greizmann! Somehow Ramos nicks it off his toes with an open goal from two yards out! Great defending!
82 mins: There are only eight minutes left. Atletico aren't giving up as you wouldn't expect a Simeone team to do but surely that is that. Real Madrid will go to Cardiff to face Juventus. Surely.
86 mins: Yep, pretty confident Real will make it now. Isco is just making way for Morata and he has been absolutely magnificent. He may not be a stylish or fashionable as Bale but surely he will be starting in Cardiff?
88 mins: There should also be a word for Yannick Carrasco. He, like Isco, has been brilliant. Another who Premier League sides should be looking at this summer.
90 mins: The heavens have opened now and all the noise is coming from those wearing white in the stadium. A fitting atmosphere to say goodbye to this stadium, even if it is more from the away side than the home one.
AND THAT'S IT!
Real Madrid are through to their 16th final and will look to become the first team to defend their title since the competition became the Champions League!
They will go on to play Juventus is Cardiff but spare a thought for Atletico Madrid, who were fabulous tonight.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments