Actual Madrid’s Rodrygo celebrates scoring their first purpose with Vinicius Junior in a match in opposition to Atletico Madrid in Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain on March 4, 2025 . — Reuters
MADRID: Actual Madrid secured a slim 2-1 victory over their metropolis rivals Atletico Madrid within the first leg of their Champions League last-16 encounter on Tuesday.
Julian Alvarez levelled for Atletico after Rodrygo Goes despatched the hosts forward, however Brahim Diaz stroked dwelling the winner for the file 15-time winners to please the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
“I think we played a complete game today, (my) goal was good and it earned us the win, but it’s not over,” Diaz informed Movistar.
“There’s still the second leg and we have to give everything, like we did today.”
Diego Simeone’s Atletico, who misplaced within the 2014 and 2016 finals in opposition to their bitter rivals, saved stars Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe quiet however nonetheless got here up quick.
The Rojiblancos performed it secure within the last phases, seeming to just accept their one-goal drawback for the second leg derby conflict at dwelling subsequent week.
“For a moment we had the game under control, but we knew that it would not be an easy match, because they were at home and they have great players,” mentioned Alvarez.
“But we know there are 90 minutes to go… it’s one goal, and another game, at home with our fans.”
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti opted for Morocco worldwide Diaz in midfield to exchange the suspended Jude Bellingham and chosen Fede Valverde at right-back after he was handed match to play.
The Italian had demanded his facet present a greater angle and extra dedication than throughout their La Liga defeat by Actual Betis on Saturday and his fees delivered.
“The second half was better (than the first), we worked hard, defended well, our objective was to take a small advantage and we did it,” mentioned Ancelotti.
Rodrygo pounced after simply 4 minutes, slipping inside Javi Galan to gather Valverde’s teasing go earlier than firing dwelling along with his left foot throughout Jan Oblak and contained in the far submit.
It was the Brazilian winger’s fifth strike of the event, habitually shining on the European stage for Madrid, the place he boasts 25 objectives in 61 appearances.
His compatriot Vinicius got here near netting Madrid’s second as he surged into the field however Jose Gimenez blocked his shot effectively.
‘We’re alive’
Atletico started to create hazard of their very own and Valverde hacked away Giuliano Simeone’s whipped ball from beneath his personal crossbar beneath strain from Samuel Lino.
Alvarez levelled with an excellent particular person purpose, dancing away from Eduardo Camavinga on the left of the field and curling his shot previous Thibaut Courtois into the highest nook.
The previous Manchester Metropolis striker has been in chic type previously few weeks, notching 10 objectives in 14 matches and proving why Atletico made him their second costliest signing of all time final summer season.
“They started better… I think the big plus from our team was that we didn’t give up, we didn’t get stage fright after conceding so early,” mentioned Simeone.
“We started to play, to get into the game, and to own the ball more, and play more in their half.”
Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo De Paul helped Atletico hold management for lengthy intervals, with Madrid discovering it laborious to take the ball again from their rivals.
That made it all of the extra stunning when Diaz restored Los Blancos’ lead within the fifty fifth minute.
The midfielder left Gimenez on the ground with some fast footwork and carved out the area for a tidy low end, earlier than leaping into the gang to have fun.
Griezmann fired extensive and Gimenez over as Atletico appeared for a response and Ancelotti introduced on 39-year-old midfielder Luka Modric in the hunt for extra management.
The Croatian delivered simply that and neither facet threatened within the last half hour of the match till stoppage time, when Madrid may need secured a 3rd.
Mbappe’s cut-back from the fitting was behind Vinicius who was ready for a tap-in, and Oblak saved from Modric within the aftermath.
Atletico host Actual Madrid subsequent week on the Metropolitano stadium, with the winner going through Arsenal or PSV Eindhoven within the quarter-finals.
“We’re alive (in the tie) and we have to correct the mistakes we made and go for it in the second leg,” mentioned Atletico midfielder Marcos Llorente.
