Gunners remain unbeaten
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Even without the injured Kai Havertz, Arsenal have put themselves in a good position to reach the final of the Champions League. In Atlético Madrid’s atmosphere temple, the undefeated Londoners saved a 1-1 (1-0) draw against Diego Simeone’s team.
24 hours after the crazy goal spectacle in Paris between PSG and FC Bayern (5:4), two penalties ensured the result: Viktor Gyökeres scored on the London side in the 44th minute. The outstanding Argentine world champion Julián Alvarez equalized for the Colchoneros (56th). The second leg will take place next Tuesday in London.
Both teams have never won the Champions League, so their desires are huge. Above all with Atlético idol Antoine Griezmann. Before his 97th Champions League game for the Madrilenians, the former world champion from France appeared tense. Not without reason: it was Griezmann’s last European home game for the club he loves. The 35-year-old will move to Orlando in the USA in the summer.
However, the attacker, who was good at dribbling and passing, did not initially pose much of a threat. Neither did his teammates – with the exception of a shot from Alvarez (14th), which required Arsenal keeper David Raya to stretch a lot.
The guests from London, with whom Havertz reportedly did not even travel to Madrid, did not allow much and remained offensively dangerous. Like shortly before half-time, when Gyökeres went down after a challenge against Dávid Hancko – penalty, also after VAR’s decision. Accompanied by a deafening whistle, Gyökeres heaved the ball into the goal.
Atlético’s best man scores the equalizer
Neither team had a run before the game in Madrid. Altético have lost four of their last five games, including the Copa del Rey final. In the league, Simeone’s team is fourth, 25 points behind FC Barcelona.
But Arsenal also has a lot to lose. In the Premier League, the previously clearly leading team is now dueling with Manchester City for the title. And the Gunners were unable to defend their lead in Madrid either. The goal also came from the penalty spot. According to VAR’s decision, a handball by Ben White was punished. Alvarez heaved the ball into the goal.
Shortly afterwards, Griezmann hit the crossbar with a fine shot. Atlético was now in control with the force of the fans behind them. And then this: First Alvarez had to go out injured, then referee Danny Makkelie from the Netherlands awarded a penalty for Arsenal. But this time he reversed the decision based on the video images. It remained a draw.
