In his first season in Italy after nine season with Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the Spanish capital for a Champions League Round of 16 match on Wednesday.
Facing Atlético Madrid with his new Italian club Juventus, Ronaldo was unsurprisingly a target of the home fans at the Wanda Metropolitano. He responded by mocking the Atleti fans, and Los Colchoneros responded by handing the Bianconeri a critical 2-0 defeat.
Playing at the site of the 2019 Champions League final, two teams with aspirations of returning to the stage in June met in the first leg of two in the Round of 16.
Ronaldo, who is tied for second-most all time with five Champions League titles — including four with Real Madrid — was frustrated in a scoreless first half. At one point he turned to the crowd and showed them just how many times he’s lifted the Champions League trophy, knowing full well no club has lost more finals than Atlético (three) without winning the tournament, including two losses to Ronaldo’s Real.
Fans del Atleti cargan contra Cristiano, quien les responde con la ‘manita’ de sus 5 Champions
El futbolista lusitano les contestó a los hinchas 'Colchoneros' con un sutil gesto de una de sus manos #AtletiJuve pic.twitter.com/VQo72Spt1A— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) February 20, 2019
But after Ronaldo’s little taunt, it was all Atlético, the home side scoring three times — two of which counted — in a 2-0 first-leg victory with goals from Uruguayan center backs José Giménez and Diego Godín, the two men most responsible (along with Jan Oblak) for keeping Juventus scoreless.
The opener arrived in the 78th minute, when Giménez was first to a loose ball in the box following a corner kick, smashing the ball past Wojciech Szczesny.
78' Ahora si: ¡GOOOOOOOOOOL DEL Atlético de Madrid!
Giménez aprovecha un rebote en el área y manda el balón al fondo@Atleti 1-0 @juventusfcesVa EN VIVO por #UDN y https://t.co/gLO8xeIeJV #AtletiJuve pic.twitter.com/z7esLNHW4p
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) February 20, 2019
Atlético coach Diego Simeone certainly enjoyed the goal.
Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone celebrating José Giménez's goal against Juventus on Wednesday. Screenshot: TNT
The second ended up going in off Ronaldo, with Godín doing his best to direct a bouncing ball toward goal for what could turn out to be decisive goal in the tie.
82' ¡GOOOOOOODÍIIIIIN marca el segundo del @Atleti y el Wanda explota de emoción!
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) February 20, 2019
2 - Diego Godín and Jose Maria Gimenez have scored in the same game for @atletienglish for the first time in all competitions. Uruguay. pic.twitter.com/XVlFOWRRlH
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 20, 2019
Going down 2-0 in the first leg means the Old Lady must score at least two goals back in Turin on March 12 to have any chance at advancing to the quarterfinals.
To make matters worse, Ronaldo’s day did not go well. In the first half, both Saúl and Juanfran raked Ronaldo with their cleats in a two-second span, the referee ignoring both infractions.
41' ¡Uuuuuy qué falta sobre Cristiano, pero el árbitro dice: JUEGUE! @Atleti 0-0 @juventusfces
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) February 20, 2019
Denying Juventus an away goal was just as important for Atlético on Wednesday, though it wasn’t easy.
Ronaldo nearly scored nine minutes into his return to Madrid. The former Real Madrid star smashed a free kick from about 30 yards out that Oblak did brilliantly to save.
8' ¡A nada la @juventusfces de abrir el marcador y qué GOLAZO iba a ser de Cristiano!
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) February 20, 2019
Despite the save, the free kick was costly for Atlético, as Diego Costa was shown a yellow card for antics while in the wall, meaning he’ll miss the return leg in Turin. Thomas was also shown a yellow card that will rule him out of the second leg in what may go down as a Pyrrhic victory for the Spanish club, though Alex Sandro will miss out on yellow cards for Juventus.
Atlético Madrid was awarded a penalty kick in the 26th minute when Mattia De Sciglio inadvertently clipped Costa, who fell into the 18-yard box. However, replays showed Costa was hit well before he reached the box, with the striker staying on his feet until he arrived in the penalty area and allowed himself to fall to the turf.
Fortunately, VAR correctly ruled the foul as a free kick outside the box. On the ensuing restart, Antoine Griezmann’s clever effort on target with the outside of his left boot had to be well saved by Szczesny.
The ref initially called a penalty, but was overruled by VAR. What say you?
Watch Atletico Madrid vs. Juventus NOW on #BRLive: https://t.co/stBJiF4Zx2 pic.twitter.com/TIg7XcX3Ji— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) February 20, 2019
Atlético’s best moment in the first half came when four players combined for four consecutive back heels, though this clip doesn’t show the final back heel went straight out of bounds.
Atletico's passing is on point pic.twitter.com/DcC2BGL0de
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) February 20, 2019
Before the two late breakthroughs, Atlético came close to scoring twice in the opening minutes of the second half.
First, Diego Costa was in on goal but somehow pushed his shot wide.
49' ¡La que se pierde Diego Costa!
Era el primero del @Atleti y la falló de forma horribleVa EN VIVO por #UDN y https://t.co/gLO8xeIeJV #AtletiJuve pic.twitter.com/NWKpV7n3TN
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) February 20, 2019
Then Antoine Griezmann tried to chip Szczesny, but the former Arsenal keeper just got his fingertips to turn the shot onto the crossbar.
SO CLOSE FOR GRIEZMANN Denied by the fingertips of Szczesny
Watch the final 30 minutes of Atletico vs. Juventus on #BRLive:https://t.co/stBJiF4Zx2 pic.twitter.com/yGjD8reJaq— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) February 20, 2019
Former Real Madrid, Juventus and Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata replaced Diego Costa in the 58th minute and thought he had put Atlético in the lead with a header off a nice cross from Filipe Luis. However, the VAR ruled Morata pushed Giorgio Chiellini before heading home and the goal was wiped out.
Morata really having a tough year, man. VAR take away his massive goal.pic.twitter.com/gS41wxwOfm
@brlive— The18 (@the18com) February 20, 2019
It was harsh on Morata, but probably the right call and the type of thing VAR will hopefully clean up in the game.
On the other end, after Atlético's goals, Ronaldo set up Federico Bernadeschi only to have the Italian side again denied by Oblak’s giant hands as the match finished 2-0.
89' Ceeeeeerca el del descuento de la Juve pero Oblak le quita el gol.
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) February 20, 2019
After two scoreless draws on Tuesday between Barcelona-Lyon and Liverpool-Bayern Munich, Wednesday’s matches had much more goal-mouth action.
But now that the first legs of all eight Round of 16 matches are done, we can’t wait for the second legs, especially for Atlético-Juve.
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