Atletico, Arsenal still to play in Champions League

Madrid — One penalty each Victor Gaikeres And Julian Alvarez saw Atlético Madrid And Arsenal Share a 1-1 draw in them UEFA Champions League The first leg of the semi-final. Fireworks were distributed later Paris Saint Germain And Bayern Munich A day earlier, Wednesday’s game at the Metropolitano was, unsurprisingly, a tough affair.

The forward gave visitors Arsenal the lead in the 44th minute after a clumsy challenge from Atletico. David Hanko inside the box

Atlético went ahead after halftime, and Alvarez equalized with a spot kick of his own in the 56th minute. Ben WhiteIts handball

Referee Danny McAleley awarded Arsenal another penalty late on, but then reversed his decision after a VAR check — ruling that Hanko had not fouled the substitute. God bless you — to keep the tie delicately balanced ahead of next week’s second leg in north London. — Alex Kirkland

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– Marcotti: Don’t nitpick, just marvel at the talent of PSG and Bayern
– Kirkland: Can Griezmann win UCL to leave Atletico on a high?
– Hamilton: Can 133 Eredivisie matches be replayed?

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Second UCL semi-final in shadow of PSG-Bayern

To be fair to both teams, almost any game would have had to fight to be served up 24 hours before the nine-goal thriller between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. And it wasn’t actually a bad game, especially in the second half when Atlético burst into life after Alvarez’s equaliser. But it was a match that ultimately ended with two penalties and no goals from open play.

There were actually more shots in this game — a combined total of 29 compared to 22 in Paris — but the offensive quality on show at the Metropolitano was nowhere near as good as Tuesday evening. Arsenal will be furious not to be awarded a third penalty after a challenge by Hanko in the box — awarded on the field but overturned after a lengthy VAR review — and both sides will regret the missed chances. But the remaining half of the draw left no doubt that a potential Champions League winner would emerge. — James Ollie

Julian Alvarez does it all for Atleti

At times tonight, it seemed Alvarez was everything for Atletico Madrid: not only their most dangerous forward, but also their most creative playmaker and most composed ball-playing midfielder.

Long before he converted Atletico’s second-half equaliser, he was already a key man for the home team. With 13 minutes gone, just one spectacular save from the Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya Prevented Alvarez from leading Atletico. He was also constantly dropping into midfield, looking to help build the home side’s attack — sometimes to Atleti’s detriment, as it was all that was left. Antoine Griezmann and an off form Ademola Lookman in front of him

In the second half, most of the Metropolitanos thought Alvarez’s free kick — quickly becoming his calling card — was deflected instead of drifting wide of the inside post. And when he had the chance to level from the penalty spot, there was no doubt, his execution was flawless.

Alvarez now has 10 Champions League goals this season. No other Atletico Madrid player had done so before in the competition’s history. Lionel Messi The only Argentinian player to reach double figures in a Champions League campaign.

In the 77th minute Alvarez, looking tired and in some pain, was replaced by the creative midfielder. Alex BenaAlvarez played on the field, reflecting a withdrawn role. Atlético have been less dangerous in his absence, and the same will be true if Alvarez leaves this summer. Diego Simeone said before the match of interest from Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona Álvarez is “normal” according to his quality. On this display, it’s hard to argue. He was outstanding, and would improve any team. — Kirkland

Arsenal prioritize efficiency over flair

Gunners have been criticized for an approach that focuses on realism and control rather than dynamism and flair, but they’ve got the balance right for the most part here.

The opening 45 minutes were essentially a European away game in a difficult venue: dig in early, establish an element of control and then score a goal. They lost their composure for 15 minutes when Atlético equalised, but Arteta’s positive option — changing his entire forward line Bukayo Saka, Gabriel is Jesus And Leandro Trossard A triple substitution with just over 20 minutes left — helped them recover a leg

Arteta is acutely aware that it has been 20 years since Arsenal reached the Champions League final, and he is determined to ensure they don’t fall short due to any blunders — hence the discipline he tells his team to play with. They are now 13 games unbeaten in the competition, tying their longest streak in the competition. It was a better display than their away game Bayer Leverkusen And Sporting CP And they now stand 90 minutes away from the showpiece game in Budapest, one step closer to the end justifying the means. — Ollie

Atlético failed to make the most of home ground advantage

In the end, it feels like a missed opportunity for Atlético. They had 18 shots, creating 13 chances — two of which Opta classified as big chances, for Lookman — for an xG of 2.22. But they scored just once from the penalty spot and they drew with them at the Emirates the following week, when they could easily have won here.

It shouldn’t be overstated that the home team played quite well, albeit with a performance worthy of a first Champions League semi-final in nine years. The group did not bask in the spotlight. It started the game well, dropped just before half-time, but then roared back after the break, when Alvarez, Lookman and Griezmann all went close, even before Alvarez scored from his penalty.

They will be proud of it, but they will also feel regret. One of Simeone’s favorite words when talking about football force, Which can be translated as clinical, or decisive at critical moments. Atlético were not here, and it may have cost them. — Kirkland

Gyokeres steps in…then fades

What a curious player Victor Gaikeres Either way for 45 minutes here, he was exactly what Arsenal needed: holding onto the ball, working hard to shut Atletico out of possession and clinical when the scoring opportunities came. He finished that half with 10 touches but had just five in the 24 minutes following the break as Arsenal lost control of the game. In fact, between the restart and the 63rd minute, he only touched the ball once.

The irony is that he probably wouldn’t have started this game Kai Havertz Fit and yet he is now just one goal away from 20 goals in all competitions – the first player to do so since Bukayo Saka reached that milestone two years ago – and the numbers suggest he is having a thoroughly respectable first season. England Since his summer move from Sporting CP. And yet, the nagging question remains: is he capable of defining the biggest games, as Arsenal expect from their big-money No.9? The jury is probably still out. — Ollie