Wednesday April 24, 2024

Atletico turn on the style to beat Borussia Dortmund

Published : 07 Nov 2018, 03:09

  DF-Xinhua Report
File Photo Xinhua.

Atletico Madrid claimed revenge for their 4-0 thrashing away to Borussia Dortmund a fortnight ago as they defeated the German side 2-0 in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Tuesday night.

Goals from Saul Niguez and Antoine Griezmann gave Atletico a win they thoroughly deserved after what was arguably their best performance of the season, while Dortmund were a shadow of the side that had played so well a fortnight ago.

If Dortmund totally dominated Atletico in Germany, this time it was the turn of the Spanish side to turn in a dominant performance, with their high pressure stopping the German side creating hardly anything in attack.

Saul opened the scoring for Atletico in the 33rd minute; the Spain international began the move with a pass to left back Felipe Luis and was then on hand to finish from the Brazilian's cross.

The last 10 minutes of the first half then saw Atletico lay siege to the Borussia penalty area with Saul firing just wide, Felipe Luis seeing a shot saved and Thomas Partey seeing hitting the crossbar with a powerful shot.

Atletico had to replace defender Jose Gimenez with the debutant Francisco Montero due to a muscle injury at halftime, but they continued to dominate the game with Rodrigo firing over the bar and Angel Correa stabbing the ball just wide through the keeper's legs.

It wasn't until the 80th minute that Atletico sealed the win when Griezmann held off the defense before scoring with a low shot.

Atletico have 9 points from their four Champions League games and sit behind Dortmund in Group A on goal difference and both sides will book their place in the last 16 of the tournament if they draw one of their two remaining group matches.