Atlético de Madrid and RB Leipzig made their debut in the new edition of the Champions League with the Cívitas Metropolitano as the stage for their battle and with the rain giving it an "epic" touch. Diego Pablo Simeone and Marco Rose's boys measured their strength in search of getting the first three points for the "playoffs" that will decide the round of 16 and round of 32. A novel encounter in Europe, as they have only faced each other once: in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2020 with Leipzig's victory.
To do so, the Colchoneros decided to remain faithful to their tactical idea with the 3-4-2-1 that has given so many joys so far this season without knowing defeat. Oblak would start between the sticks, while Riquelme and Llorente on the wings, and Le Normand, Giménez and Reinildo in the rear, would conform the defense. Koke and De Paul would act as central midfielders, just behind Cirrea and Griezmann, with Julián Alvarez as the main reference at the tip of the spear.
These starting eleven showed some changes compared to the match against Valencia CF, where Conor Gallagher, Azpilicueta, Samuel Lino andAlexander Sorloth did start. Meanwhile, the German team will start with Gulácsi; Raum, Lukeba, Orban; Simons, Vermeeren, Haidara, Henrichs; Nusa, Sesko; Openda .
Trading Damage
The start of the match was not easy for Atlético de Madrid, who suffered greatly against RB Leipzig's first attack. Although Simeone 's men came out with authority, the first dangerous play that the Germans created was enough to score. It was thanks to Sesko, who after a quick counterattack, recovered a rebound after a great save by Jan Oblak to easily put the ball into the goal.
Despite the scare, Atlético de Madrid 's level of play rose considerably and, this time, they managed to completely dominate the match. And they did not stop until they got the match tied based on clear plays by Ángel Correa, Julián Alvarez and Rodrigo Riquelme. The three footballers were very close to making it 1-1, but it was Antoine Griezmann who, after finishing off a great cross from Marcos Llorente , scored the long-awaited goal with a volley.
After half an hour of play, the game's script was very clear: dominance with good moments for the red-whites while RB Leipzig waited to counterattack. A reading of the game where Griezmann, Correa, De Paul, Llorente and the rest were delighted, as they could distribute their play with some comfort. In fact, Atlético de Madrid did not suffer another dangerous attack from Marco Rose's boys, and although they did not get the second goal, they finished with a decent first half.
Peace Treaty
The second half of the match started off a bit more calmly and quietly than the first half. Despite Atlético de Madrid having most of the possession, they were unable to threaten Gulácsi in any clear way. Diego Pablo Simeone decided to change the bench and brought on Samuel Lino,Conor Gallagher and Alexander Sorloth for Rodrigo Riquelme, De Paul and Julián Alvarez.
Nahuel Molina did the same minutes later, replacing Ángel Correa and leaving Marcos Llorente in the centre of the field to occupy the right wing. The match began to break up and slow down due to a large number of interruptions caused by several fouls by both teams, for which the referee did not hesitate to warn. In the 70th minute, Xavi Simons warned Jan Oblak with a shot from the corner that the Slovenian had to save, before Marco Rose also made a move .
Minutes later, the Dutchman had another good chance, which he was unable to finish off properly, making it clear that Leipzig could surprise them at any moment in the match. This came after the disappearance of Antoine Griezmann, who was no longer the star of the team from Atlético de Madrid after the changes made. It seemed that Atlético de Madrid had to consolidate themselves on the field with the new players, something they did not have much time to do if they wanted to make a comeback.
In the 76th minute, Poulsen, one of RB Leipzig's substitutes, sent out another warning shot with a header that grazed Oblak's post. Despite the fact that the colchoneros reacted well with several offensive attacks, RB Leipzig's goal continued to be uncontested. That was the situation... until the 90th minute, when José María Giménez, with a header, achieved the long-awaited comeback for Atlético de Madrid.
A goal that made Cívitas Metropolitano explode, with everyone celebrating the Uruguayan's goal. And it was only natural, as it would be the winning goal once the referee blew the final whistle, proclaiming the colchoneros as the fair winners.