David Villa, right, of Atletico Madrid gets a step on Barcelona’s Marc Bartra during their Uefa Champions League game on Wednesday night. G Moreno / Getty Images
David Villa, right, of Atletico Madrid gets a step on Barcelona’s Marc Bartra during their Uefa Champions League game on Wednesday night. G Moreno / Getty Images
David Villa, right, of Atletico Madrid gets a step on Barcelona’s Marc Bartra during their Uefa Champions League game on Wednesday night. G Moreno / Getty Images
David Villa, right, of Atletico Madrid gets a step on Barcelona’s Marc Bartra during their Uefa Champions League game on Wednesday night. G Moreno / Getty Images

Atletico Madrid slip past Barca and into Champions League semi-finals


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

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

It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times

If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.

A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.

The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.

In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.

The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.

Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.

Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.

“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.

The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.

“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.

“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”

At Eternity’s Gate

Director: Julian Schnabel

Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen

Three stars

UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months