Atletico and Real Madrid played out an entertaining but a goal-less draw at Vicente Calderon which sees the tie still hanging in balance ahead of a second-leg clash at Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid improved their recent dismal record against their fierce rivals and coach Carlo Ancelotti looked satisfied with the efforts of his players.
Real Madrid won their 10th Champions League crown at the expense of Atletico last year but going into this fixture, the Rojiblancos had enjoyed an upper hand in all six encounters of this season. Real Madrid looked resolute to finish the recent dominance of Atletico as they started the game on a brighter note. Gareth Bale wasted a nice opportunity to score just in the fourth minute as Atletico keeper Oblak made an excellent save.
And Oblak was probably the busiest player of Atletico in the entire first half with Real Madrid dominating the possession and creating many scoring opportunities in the process.
Real Madrid did dominate the possession in the second half also but Atletico looked more dangerous and an excellent attacking display from the likes of Arda Turan and Antoie Griezmann kept Real defenders on their toes.
However, neither team managed to score in the whole 90 minutes as the tie ended as a goal-less draw. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was not totally happy with the result but lauded the efforts of his players.
a 0-0 is the best of the bad results,a Ancelotti claimed.
a I think, especially in the first half, we deserved more than 0-0. The first half we were fantastic. We played very well, with personality.
a The second half was different because they pressed more and we had problems with possession.
a The result isna t good but we can take confidence from the match we played and it showed in the team.a
Atletico Madrid players made to work hard by Real Madrid to earn a draw and they now have an advantage of playing in front of their home crowd in the second leg. But coach Diego Simeone said after the game that the tie is still perfectly balanced. Simeone also said that his players reacted well after a difficult first half.
a The tie is open after this result. The boys were able to react well. We talked about the football, what we were doing,a said Simeone.
a The game is where it is. Wea re against a very strong opponent and I appreciate the change in the second half. We will go forward, calmly and to an important game. But ita s all open.a