The National's Sport cover for the Wednesday, April 15 issue, featuring Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid battling in the Champion League.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico held giant Madrid neighbours Real on Tuesday night in the first leg of their quarter-final tie, a goalless draw. He had his goalkeeper Jan Oblak to thank.
Covering the match from Madrid, Andy Mitten writes:
“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 2-3 September defeat at Olympiakos.
“Number two 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.”
As for what a first-leg stand against Real means for Atletico, Mitten adds:
“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 struggled 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.”
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