In a fabled tale of two extraordinary substitutes, German powerhouse RB Leipzig eliminated Spanish stalwarts, Atletico Madrid. The Spanish side was knocked out from the current edition of UEFA Champions League in the quarter-finals. What started as a cagey affair for two contrasting sides shortly spiralled into a slugfest. It finally culminated into a three-goal thriller.
After a reticent first-half affair which didn’t really produce much clear-cut action barring a few half-hearted attempts from both the sides. They tried to rattle the impasse but initially failed. Despite that, the second half roared back to life with both the teams trying to draw first blood.
It was the Germans who were rewarded handsomely after the restart. Sabitzer flicked in a clever cross inside the box that was calmly headed home by a raring Olmo. It was enough for setting the tone for the game. Despite repeated sorties into the Leipzig attacking third, Atletico failed to find the equalizer due to the inefficacy of their attacking force.
The Twists And Turns Of The Match
It was the introduction of Joao Felix that changed the course of the game for Simeone’s wards. Felix navigated his way in a very calculative method through a maze of Leipzig defenders only to be clipped inside the box after Klostermann hurled himself into the Portuguese striker, instantly drawing the referee’s attention to the dreaded spot.
The man who earned it for Madrid also stepped up for the spot-kick and blasted home a comfortable penalty to restore parity. With things once again all square, Madrid seemed rejuvenated and their repeated adventures in the Leipzig box kept their defenders on the toes.
As the first extra-time of this edition of the tournament loomed largely, things changed drastically with a brilliant run from Angelino down the left. Riveting a major chunk of Atletico’s rearguard towards himself, he threaded a perfectly-weighed ball in the stride of Adams, who took his time, used the space and speared the ball into Savic who veered it off its original path into the net to send the German management into bouts of unprecedented exultations.
Despite Atletico desperately trying to equalize in the remaining minutes and even coming within inches of dragging the match to those additional thirty minutes, Peter Gulasci pulled off a timely intervention to send the German upstarts hammer and tongs to the semi-finals.
We will quickly look at the bullet points that played an emphatic role in the upshot of the game:
1. Leipzig’s attacking mindset was too hot for Simeone to work his tactics
Simeone couldn’t really work out any game plan in front of the newcomers, RB Leipzig. Their high-pressing football left the Spaniards reeling. The defensive stance taken by Atletico backfired as Nagelsmann hardwired his team with the mentality to attack the Spanish rearguard consistently.
Nkunku, Poulsen and Sabitzer played out an effectively flexible trio that kept on modulating itself to the requirements of the game. This fluid movement from the three-pronged attacking force left Madrid dazed and confused.
2. Determination of the Germans was what kept the Spaniards at bay
Despite being a heavier side on papers, Nagelsmann ensured that Madrid must not be allowed to play free-flowing football. The formation resorted to by the German preceptor was an absolute delight to the eyes. Even after restoring parity, Madrid failed to hit the right gear. Leipzig kept on coming back. It was more of a counter-attacking story for the Germans. They knew that they had a bus to park in the rearguard.
Much to the woes of Simeone, Diego Costa was nothing but filler in the squad. To complicate matters for the Argentine coach, Alvaro Morata did nothing more than taking a stroll in the park as a substitute.
With the attacking sting rendered redundant, Simeone’s best hope was Joao Felix. He caused all the problems for Leipzig after being introduced. However, his limited resistance fizzed away very shortly. Adams and Schick came on the pitch countering his skills with their speed.
3. Fortune favours the brave- RB Leipzig
With all the attempts made by Leipzig to mount a challenge on the famous Simeone in order to book a semi-final rendezvous with PSG. To add to that, lady luck smiled at the Germans.
The decisive goal which came from Adams was well in course of Oblak’s diving stretch. However, it took a wicked deflection off Savic and veered off its original path to roll into the net. This left a thousand Spanish hearts razed like skittles.
