Atletico Madrid 1 Barcelona 0
Atletico Madrid Koke 5'
Man of the match Gabi (Atletico Madrid)
For Atletico Madrid, their dream season sustains. The capital club, so long dwarfed by neighbours Real Madrid, have mixed domestic durability with a continental conviction and, at present, stand as Spain’s most dominant side.
Leading the Primera Liga as the campaign nears its conclusion, Atletico are now Uefa Champions League semi-finalistst to boot, after deservedly dispatching Barcelona at a raucous Vicente Calderon.
Diego Simeone’s squad, much like their manager, are built on commitment to the cause and they continue to dispel the doubts, to silence the dissenting voices. This was their fifth meeting of the season with Barcelona, yet Lionel Messi and company have yet to get the better of them.
Four draws had preceded the second leg in central Spain, with last week’s clash at the Nou Camp suggesting Atletico would not be bowed.
A 1-1 draw appeared a dangerous score to bring back home, although those concerns were quickly eradicated when Koke grabbed what would be the tie’s decisive strike.
Without Gerard Pique and Victor Valdes to help keep out the hosts, Barcelona emerged brittle in defence and surprisingly ponderous in attack. Within five minutes they were exposed, Adrian crashing a drive off the upright before David Villa collected to cross to Raul Garcia.
The midfielder’s knock-down was perfect, leaving Koke the simplest task of placing the ball past Jose Manuel Pinto. In a frantic period that ensured, Atletico twice shook the woodwork, both through Villa.
The former Barcelona man enjoyed some sumptuous times with the Catalan club, but the victory here, which secured a 2-1 aggregate triumph, will surely rank among his finest.
He was unfortunate, too, not to be awarded a penalty deep into the second half, when Javier Mascherano bundled him over in the area.
Barcelona would have opportunities of their own, chiefly through Messi, Xavi and Neymar. The trio were each well-placed to spark the visitors back to life, but not one could direct their header on target.
As it transpired, Barcelona depart the tournament before the last-four stage for the first time in seven seasons, and the post-mortem will last long through the coming days and weeks.
Placed second in the domestic league, and with the Copa del Rey final to come, much can still be salvaged from 2013/14, although there is a growing sense this previously unstoppable stable is ending its trophy-laden run. Gerardo Martino, the manager, may not endure past the summer months.
Although Barcelona’s gradual demise demands attention, for the moment, allow Atletico to bask in a glory all of their own making.
To call Simeone’s side spirited and gutsy tells only half the story, as they have the requisite talent to back up their tenacity.
Rightfully in tomorrow’s semi-final draw, their dream season has a few more tales to spin yet.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
Follow us on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Afghanistan fixtures
- v Australia, today
- v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
- v New Zealand, Saturday,
- v South Africa, June 15
- v England, June 18
- v India, June 22
- v Bangladesh, June 24
- v Pakistan, June 29
- v West Indies, July 4
Grand slam winners since July 2003
Who has won major titles since Wimbledon 2003 when Roger Federer won his first grand slam
Roger Federer 19 (8 Wimbledon, 5 Australian Open, 5 US Open, 1 French Open)
Rafael Nadal 16 (10 French Open, 3 US Open, 2 Wimbledon, 1 Australian Open)
Novak Djokovic 12 (6 Australian Open, 3 Wimbledon, 2 US Open, 1 French Open)
Andy Murray 3 (2 Wimbledon, 1 US Open)
Stan Wawrinka 3 (1 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 1 US Open)
Andy Roddick 1 (1 US Open)
Gaston Gaudio 1 (1 French Open)
Marat Safin 1 (1 Australian Open)
Juan Martin del Potro 1 (1 US Open)
Marin Cilic 1 (1 US Open)
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
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Bugatti Chiron Super Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,600hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.4seconds
0-200kph in 5.8 seconds
0-300kph in 12.1 seconds
Top speed: 440kph
Price: Dh13,200,000
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,500hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.3 seconds
0-200kph in 5.5 seconds
0-300kph in 11.8 seconds
Top speed: 350kph
Price: Dh13,600,000
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Fixtures
Friday Leganes v Alaves, 10.15pm; Valencia v Las Palmas, 12.15am
Saturday Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad, 8.15pm; Girona v Atletico Madrid, 10.15pm; Sevilla v Espanyol, 12.15am
Sunday Athletic Bilbao v Getafe, 8.15am; Barcelona v Real Betis, 10.15pm; Deportivo v Real Madrid, 12.15am
Monday Levante v Villarreal, 10.15pm; Malaga v Eibar, midnight
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
FIVE%20TRENDS%20THAT%20WILL%20SHAPE%20UAE%20BANKING
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