MADRID // There was surprise when Atletico Madrid signed two experienced goalkeepers to replace Thibaut Courtois before this season. On Tuesday night in a tetchy and noisy Vicente Calderon Stadium, Diego Simeone's wisdom paid off as Jan Oblak, the club's No 2 goalkeeper until a month ago, kept Real Madrid at bay with a stunning first-half performance in a goalless Champions League quarter-final first leg.
The Slovenian, 22, who signed from Benfica for €16 million (Dh86.7m) in July 2014, had played just one Atletico game outside of Copa del Rey matches before last month and that was a 3-2 September defeat at Olympiakos. No 2 to Miguel Angel Moya until the Spanish goalkeeper was injured in March, Oblak has been excellent, keeping three clean sheets in four league games in an unbeaten side. Somehow, he made that four against the European champions.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side began with a purpose that had been absent in February’s 4-0 hammering at the same venue, with Gareth Bale through on goal only to see his third-minute shot pushed away by Oblak. The Slovenian goalkeeper saved a Cristiano Ronaldo free kick after nine minutes, with Madrid’s star booed every time he touched the ball by all but 2,500 away fans in a partisan 54,000 crowd. The early villain was Atletico’s Mario Mandzukic, committing three fouls in a heated opening 10 minutes. Not that the home fans minded.
The European champions remained the better side, though their efforts were usually from distance. Oblak was needed again to save a 32nd-minute drive from Bale, Dani Carvajal busied himself around the pitch, before James Rodriguez came closest to scoring on 37 minutes, striking a Toni Kroos corner which the diving Oblak kept out.
Opportunities were limited at the other end, with Atletico’s 21-goal top scorer Antoine Griezmann seizing on a mistake by Sergio Ramos, but not troubling Iker Casillas in the 38th minute. It was same with a Luca Modric shot which sailed over at the other end a minute later. Madrid were ascendant, Ronaldo motivated and Raphael Varane storming down the right to set up Karim Benzema and Rodriguez just before a goalless first half closed in which the visitors had 61 per cent of possession and six shots on target to Atletico’s one.
Atletico came back stronger in the second half, an Arda Turan header showing their intent, but Manduzic was soon floored by an elbow from Ramos. With blood streaming from his face, the Croatian left the field and changed shirts, but the bleeding continued. Mandzukic continued to agitate his opponents and Carvajal was fortunate that the referee didn’t spot him punching the Atletico nine in the stomach.
Sensing a resurgence in their team, the Calderon came to life on a breezy evening with rousing chants of “Atleti! Atleti!” They know that Real Madrid struggle to defeat them and hoped for a late equaliser. Atletico haven’t lost on their three visits to the Bernabeu this season. They could afford a 1-1 draw next week and still go through.
Verdict
Real Madrid have played their neighbours seven times this season and been unable to beat them. Atletico had a similar record against Barcelona last term in six games and it was Barca’s inability to overcome Diego Simeone’s side which saw them lose the Spanish Super Cup and be eliminated from the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by Atletico.
Real Madrid have already lost out on the Spanish Super Cup to Atletico this season. Could they follow Barca and be sent out of Europe in similar circumstances? The reigning European Cup holders remain favourites ahead of next week’s second leg, but no matter how dominant they are against Atletico, they simply can’t defeat them.
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