In the second semi-final of the Champions League everything happens from eleven metres: the Gunners ahead in the first half, the Spaniards equalize in the second half. Then in the 80th minute Makkelie first conceded another spot kick to the English, then – after consulting Var – retraced his steps
We were afraid it might go like this. We approached the second semi-final of the Champions League full of fear, worried and almost convinced that Atletico-Arsenal could make football look bad after the 5-4 win between PSG and Bayern, and our predictions became reality. The sad challenge between the gatecrashers of the final in Budapest had nothing to do with the spectacle seen in Paris. And to say it was a great environment. The Metropolitano was hosting its first European semi-final and the Colchoneros fans wanted to revive the spirit of the late Calderón by throwing thousands of rolls of toilet paper as the players entered the pitch. Set design in pure Argentine style, but the show ended there until the interval. Then at least Atletico did something.
The great fear
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It ended 1-1 thanks to two penalties that weren’t there, and the terrible Makkelie also whistled a third but at least managed to take it away from the VAR. That a Champions League semi-final ends in the hands of such an inadequate whistle is peculiar to say the least. A referee who has been on the sidelines for a long time for a blocked match, full of fear especially on the part of the Londoners. Who remain unbeaten in the Champions League but continue to show signs of great difficulty. Arteta is enormously afraid of leaving the Premier League to City and it is blocking him. The Gunners, for a long time during the season among the best teams in Europe (and who had given Atletico 4-0 in the group in October), today behave like provincial Spartagnina, hoping to survive in some way. The Londoners are deflated and fearful, the possibility of ending the season without glory is very real. And considering the money spent, the players bought and the size of the squad, it’s a criminal thought.
Slow start
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Cholo wants its third final after those of 2014 and 2016 left to Madrid, and the fourth for Atletico. And the Argentine coach at least tried. However, he threw away the first half in fear of attacks from an opponent who had no intention of hurting but only of taking home the skin and marked by a great shot by Julian Alvarez saved by Raya and by the penalty awarded by the Dutchman for a contact between Hancko and Gyokeres, with the Swede, never in the game, who converted for the 19th goal of the season. In the second half Atletico dominated. Lookman, injured, wasted the first of the three great chances he had, Gabriel saved on the line from Griezmann and then the referee went to the VAR to award a penalty which did not appear to be a penalty due to a hand by White following a shot by Marcos Llorente. He transformed Julian Alvarez who reached 20 goals for the season, 10 goals and 4 assists in 14 Champions League outings. Griezmann hit the crossbar and Spanish goalkeeper Raya was brilliant on two further occasions. Arteta changed the entire attack but didn’t remedy anything. Also because when Makkelie gave the third penalty for a non-existent stomp from Hancko on Eze he came to his senses on the monitor. And so Oblak made his first save in the 87th minute on a right-footed shot from Mosquera, the Spanish full-back who had just entered. For the rest, an idle evening for him. The match died out between bets on the VAR and little desire to take risks, and the Metropolitano held their breath due to a pain in the ankle of their best player, Julian Alvarez, who came off in pain. The last thought is for the football fans who think that the 5-4 in Paris is not football: we advise them to flagellate themselves by watching this Atletico-Arsenal match.
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