By Dan Judd
Atletico Madrid booked their place in the Champions League final last night after a 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich proved enough to see the Spanish side go through on away goals.
After a 1-0 defeat in the first leg, Munich had a mammoth task on their hands in order gain a spot in the final. Xabi Alonso’s deflected free-kick goal on the half hour mark provided promise to the German side, but Jan Oblak put a spanner in the works moments later by denying Thomas Muller’s penalty with a wonder save.
Bayern Munich continued to apply a huge amount of pressure on Atletico and the only thing that could prevent Guardiola’s fast paced, tactical play from leading to a goal was the half time whistle.
Simeone’s team talk proved to have an immediate effect on his team though, as star man Antoine Griezmann calmly equalized past Manuel Neuer less than ten minutes into the second half.
With 15 minutes to go Robert Lewandowski headed home to make it 2-1 making the aggregate scoreline 2-2 with his side still trailing on away goals.
A tense few final moments saw Atletico get gifted with a chance to seal it as Fernando Torres’ controversial penalty claim was enough to convince referee Cuneyt Caki.
Manuel Neuer kept his team in the late stages of the game and denied Fernado Torres from the penalty spot with the second penalty miss of the night.
The final whistle moments later certified Atletico Madrid’s second Champions League final spot in three years and put a disappointing ending on Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich story, with the Bundesliga title still very much to play for
Diego Simeone however was thrilled with his teams result and put it down to hard work over the past few seasons: “I’m proud of what has happened to this club. We are beating the best teams in the world. Over the course of 180 minutes we showed the work of three years.”
The result of tonight’s game at the Santiago Bernabeu between Real Madrid and Manchester City will decide Atletico Madrid’s Champions League final opponent.
Whatever the result may be, Simeone will be anticipating the final in confidence: “It doesn’t matter who the opponent in the final is. We are ready to fight with everyone.”
