Atletico Madrid strike late to overpower Juventus

Atletico Madrid took a huge advantage in their heavyweight UEFA Champions League last-16 tie with Juventus on Wednesday.

They earned a 2-0 home win, thanks to late goals from Uruguayan defenders Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin in a tense, incident-packed game.

Gimenez slid to the floor in a crowded penalty box to bundle the ball into the net from close range in the 78th minute.

That was after former Juve forward Alvaro Morata had had a goal ruled out following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.

Atletico Madrid also had a penalty kick awarded then taken away by the technology earlier in the game.

But they only grew in determination and captain Godin grabbed a vital second goal in the 83rd minute to take into the return leg in Turin.

The veteran defender appeared at the near-post to knock a loose ball into the net.

This was after Atletico Madrid had wreaked havoc again from a set-piece, the shot deflecting off familiar foe Cristiano Ronaldo on its way in.

“It’s a magnificent result. We scored twice and they did not. But we still have the second leg and we know the 90 minutes in Turin will be just as difficult as they were tonight,” Godin said.

“The atmosphere was unbelievable and luckily we were able to overcome adversity after the decisions of the referee and VAR.”

Both sides are two European juggernauts who have reached four of the last five UEFA Champions League finals between them without lifting the trophy.

But their meeting was as bruising and tight a match as could be expected between sides renowned for their intimidating defences.

Juve’s signing of Ronaldo was a clear attempt to boost their firepower and hopes of winning the competition.

But the man who scored 22 times against Atletico Madrid as a Real Madrid player was kept relatively quiet on his return to the Spanish capital.

The Portuguese tested goalkeeper Jan Oblak early on with a scorching free kick and as his side chased an away goal in stoppage time he headed over the bar.

It prompted gleeful whistles from the home supporters at a raucous Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, which will host the competition’s final in June.

“Small incidents decide games like this. We knew they were very dangerous from set-pieces and we should have been more focused,” said Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini.

“We are not happy at all. It’s a big result to come back from, but we’ll give everything in Turin.”

Atletico Madrid had made a timid start and their best moment before the interval was when a bursting run from Diego
Costa drew a foul by the area.

It was initially given as a penalty, then reduced to a free kick.

Roared on by their famously fervent supporters and animated coach Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid grew in confidence in the second half.

They should have taken the lead when a pass from deep by Antoine Griezmann released Costa, who rampaged towards the area but dragged his shot well wide of goal.

France forward Griezmann came much closer to scoring moments later, but his attempted chip was turned on to the crossbar by Juve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

That save did not halt Atletico’s momentum and they were well worthy of the two goals although they must do without Costa and Thomas Partey.

Both players have been suspended from the second leg on March 12, along with Juve’s Alex Sandro.