The San Siro in Milan will play host to the 2016 Champions League final as Atletico Madrid take on local rivals Real Madrid. It is a rematch of the final from two seasons ago, which Real won 4-1 in extra time, despite being down 1-0 for most of the match. This will be only the second time that a European Cup final will be contested by two clubs from the same city.
Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid faced off today in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals. Atletico Madrid took a 1-0 aggregate lead into Allianz Arena, however 31 minutes in, Xabi Alonso's free kick equalized that advantage. Antoine Griezmann's 54th minute goal tied the match at 1 and gave Atleti the lead on aggregate. Lewandowski added a header in the 74th, but Griezmann's goal was the tiebreaker. Atletico advance to the finals and await the winner of Manchester City and Real Madrid.
Bayern Munich vs. Atletico Madrid
Alonso 31'
From the first few minutes, we already knew this match was going to be much better than yesterday's. With a group of supporters backing Bayern, they held 74% of the possession, however Saúl Ñíguez's Messi esque goal in the 11th minute was a blow to the visitors. The hard fought match would end in a 1 - 0 victory for Madrid. The second leg for Atletico and Bayern will be on May 3, while Real Madrid take on Manchester City the following day.
The final day of the Champions League quarterfinals kicked off today with Barcelona playing away at Atletico Madrid and Benfica hosting Bayern Munich. Barcelona were ahead 2-1 on aggregate heading into the match, but Madrid scored in the 36th minute to go ahead on aggregate due to the away goal tie-breaker.
Griezmann headed home a cross after Jordi Alba could not fully clear the ball. The Frenchman would add a penalty to take a 3-2 aggregate lead in the 88th minute after a handball by Andres Iniesta. The final score was 2-0.
News of Karim Benzema’s continued suspension from the French national team must’ve reached Antoine Griezmann at some point before Atletico Madrid's pivotal quarterfinal second leg against Barcelona on Wednesday.
Preparing for the most important game of his young club career, the immensity of the implications would not have been lost on Griezmann. With Benzema suspended, he’s now seemingly been charged with spearheading the French attack at Euro 2016 in his native France.
Champions League Quarterfinals kicked off today with Bayern Munich facing Benfica and Barcelona taking on fellow La Liga foes, Atletico Madrid. Fernando Torres opened the scoring for Atletico in the 25th minute, however he was sent off with his second yellow card 10 minutes later. Madrid was down to 10 men and Luis Suarez took advantage when he scored in the 63rd and 74th minute. Barcelona would hold on to the lead and win 2 - 1. Bayern Munich got off to a hot start as Arturo Vidal scored on a header in the 2nd minute. His goal would prove to be the winner.
The highlight of Chicharito's Real Madrid career has to be the goal he scored against city-rivals Atletico Madrid during the second leg of the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.
That strike in the 88th minute took Real Madrid to the semifinal against Juventus. Thanks to the hard work of their Mexican forward, Los Blancos had finally defeated their tough as nails hometown rivals.
With that strike, Chicharito had proven himself an asset to Real Madrid’s season, a season that saw him for the most part banished to the bench.
India's biggest Atletico Madrid fan discovers the Calderon, and meets his idol in the process.