Part 2 of the Champions League. We'll talk about the other Tuesday match. Liverpool traveled back to the site of last year's final and the outcome wasn't nearly as fun for the Reds. Atlético Madrid won the game 1-0.
Before I get into the match and what transpired in it. Let me revisit a quote from my preview of the duel:
"Liverpool is clearly the favorite but this is exactly the type of situation where Cholo Someone thrives in. Whenever you count Atlético Madrid out they manage to find a way. Whenever you turnaround and think now this is their time they usually fold."
This is not necessarily a bold statement but it's what we have grown acostumed to seeing. With the win they now can afford to lose by 1 as long they score at Anfield. Will the rojiblancos come through in a situation that's still difficult although significantly better than a lot of people expected or will Cholo Someone suffer another crushing defeat?
Looking at it right now I'd still be more surprised to see the Spanish side going through. Call me skeptical but sustaining a small lead for basically 180 minutes playing like Atleti does is a tough ask to say the least against the top side in the world of football. Not impossible but I can't come here and completely change my opinion based on a match. I'll admit that only fools don't change their minds but nothing in the match really surprised me. The chance Atlético Madrid had to win was if the match played itself out exactly like that.
The game itself wasn't that fun and most people were probably better served watching the contest in Germany between Dortmund and PSG. Outside of the goal by Saúl early in the first half there was only one attempt on target. Liverpool had 73% of the possession yet failed to force Jan Oblak to make a single save.
Trippier couldn't play because of an injury and with Vrsaljko in the lineup, Someone allowed Renan Lodi to be more agressive in attack. It remains to be seen if the English fullback will return for the second leg.
We all know what happened, Madrid got an early goal after Van Dijk conceder a corner that he never should've done, he was relatively alone and to me he could've done better than that. It's nitpicking to some extent but he is the world's best defender and I expect more out of him. For the final 86 minutes they frustrated Liverpool in an enormous effort of defensive solidity and discipline. We'll just have to wait and see what happens in the second leg.
Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Subscrjbe to the blog and you'll receive a daily notification everytime a new post comes out. I'm sorry about the lack of content lately and I assure you'll see plenty of that in the coming days.
I'll see you later.
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