Maintaining a Strong Home Record under Diego Simeone:
Atlético maintained their impressive record of never losing a home knockout tie in the Champions League under the management of Diego Simeone. With this latest victory, they extended their streak to 17 such matches, boasting 11 wins and 6 draws. However, Sébastien Haller's late goal for Borussia Dortmund means the Spanish side heads into the away leg with just a one-goal lead.
Haller's Inspirational Return:
Sébastien Haller's goal was a moment of personal triumph, marking his 12th in just 13 UEFA Champions League appearances. This goal was particularly poignant as it was his first in the competition since February 2022, following a challenging period on the sidelines due to his battle with testicular cancer.
Defensive Mistake Opens the Door for Atletico's Second Goal:
Less than half an hour after Haller's strike, Atlético capitalized on another defensive error to extend their lead. Wing-back Samuel Lino netted his seventh goal of the season, all of which have come at the Cívitas Metropolitano stadium. Nico Schlotterbeck's unfortunate header onto the back of his centre-back partner, Mats Hummels, led to the loose ball falling to Antoine Griezmann, who set up Lino for the goal. This moment of brilliance from Griezmann compensated for Lino's earlier reckless foul, which earned him a yellow card and ruled him out of the second leg of the tie.
Griezmann Shines in Playmaking Role:
Antoine Griezmann showcased his playmaking abilities with a stellar performance, creating six chances during the match, a personal best for him in a Champions League game. This feat also marked the most chances created by an Atlético player in a knockout-stage game since Koke's performance against PSV in March 2016.
Atlético's Prolific Scoring Season:
The 2-1 victory further solidifies Atletico's prolific scoring form this season, with the team now totaling 88 goals across all competitions in 2023-24. This campaign is already their most prolific under Simeone since the 2017-18 season. Notably, they've never averaged more goals per game in a season under the Argentinian coach.
The second half saw Atlético adopt a more conservative approach, focusing on defensive solidity to thwart Dortmund's attacks. Haller's late goal injected excitement into the tie, setting up an intriguing second leg in Germany. Atlético's attacking threat dwindled in the second half, with statistics highlighting their decreased presence in the Dortmund box after halftime.
Dortmund's Home Comforts:
Despite the deficit, Borussia Dortmund will take confidence from their strong home record in the Champions League. They are unbeaten in their last nine home games in the competition, with their last defeat at Signal Iduna Park occurring against Ajax in November 2021. Dortmund will need a win in the second leg to progress to the semi-finals, but their resilience in this match suggests they're capable of mounting a comeback.
Key Stats and Milestones:
-Atlético Madrid vs Dortmund Stats Centre: A comprehensive breakdown of team and player stats, expected goals data, passing networks, and more from the quarter-final first leg.
- Samuel Lino's home dominance: All seven of Samuel Lino’s goals for Atlético Madrid this season have come at home, showcasing his importance in front of the home crowd.
- Mats Hummels' milestone: The match marked Mats Hummels’ 500th appearance for Borussia Dortmund in all competitions, a testament to his longevity and contribution to the club.
- Sébastien Haller's scoring prowess: Sébastien Haller continued his impressive scoring record in the Champions League, with his goal against Atlético Madrid marking his 12th in 13 appearances in the competition.
- Atlético Madrid's attacking prowess: Only Manchester City have scored more goals than Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League this season, highlighting their potency in front of goal.
- Griezmann's home influence: Six of Antoine Griezmann’s seven UEFA Champions League goal involvements for Atlético Madrid this season have come in home games, underlining his importance in their attacking setup.
Overall, the first leg encounter between Atlético Madrid and Borussia Dortmund sets the stage for a thrilling second leg, with both teams showcasing their strengths and vulnerabilities.