Atletico progress from incredible tie- Champions League Roundup

Bayern Munich 2-1 Atletico Madrid (2-2 agg)

Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid played out a semi-final for the ages tonight with two missed penalties, controversial goals and 95 minutes of enthralling football. The game started with a blistering pace that never stopped apart from the fifteen minute respite of half-time.

Bayern started on the front foot testing the Atletico defence from the off. It took the home side half an hour to open the scoring. A free kick on the edge of the box allowed Xabi Alonso to bend the ball through the amassed wall. His strike was helped by a deflection off the legs of Jose Gimenez which left Jan Oblak helpless in goal.

The wall Alonso managed to beat.
The wall Alonso managed to beat.

With the Allianz Area rocking more than ever Bayern were awarded a penalty. Gimenez fouled Javi Martinez at a corner which left referee Cuneyt Cakir with no option but to point to the spot. Thomas Muller stepped up but his poor strike was saved well by Jan Oblak. Ateltico Madrid were happy to hear the half-time whistle as Munich had the Spaniard’s on the ropes.

The second half started much like the first with Bayern enjoying most of the early chances. The momentum shifted nine minutes into the half when Antoine Griezmann headed the ball down to strike partner Fernando Torres. Torres played a splitting through ball which left the Bayern defence for dead. Griezmann raced forward and opened his body up before finessing the ball past Manuel Neuer. Replays were inconclusive as to whether or not the Frenchman was on or offside. The goal stood and Bayern now needed 2 goals to progress.

Griezmann's strike was too much for Manuel Neuer.
Griezmann’s strike was too much for Manuel Neuer.

Atletico seemed more comfortable with the led and soaked up pressure from the home side. Bayern however broke the Atletico defence once again Arturo Vidal headed across the face of goal to Robert Lewandowski who nodded into an empty net to give the Germans a life line. With 15 minutes to play Bayern were pushing forward searching for the winner. Ateltico were quite content with playing on the counter and once such attack saw Torres brought down just outside the box. However the Turkish official pointed to the spot. Torres stepped up but his spot kick was saved well by Neuer with 6 minutes remaining. Bayern had half chances in the dying minutes but only one troubled Jan Oblak who was alert to the danger.

Pep Guardiola welcomes Diego Simeone to the Allianz Arena.
Pep Guardiola welcomes Diego Simeone to the Allianz Arena.

Atletico may not have played pretty football but did enough on the night to progress on the away goal rule. A fantastic game of football that displayed everything the Champions League is about.

Real Madrid face Manchester City tomorrow night with the winner progressing to face Atletico in the final.

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