Atlético Madrid exit the Champions League. The Rojiblancos won the second leg 1-0 on the night, but they ultimately suffered defeat at the end of yet another crushing penalty shootout against Real Madrid. The result puts a massive dent in the hope for silverware for Diego Simeone’s side, with the coveted European trophy proving to be elusive once more.
But what did we make of the game and the tie overall?
Game of fine margins
It was a while before anyone really understood that Julián Alvarez had taken two touches in the process of his penalty kick. The finest of brushes against his slipping left foot left the side disadvantaged and, despite Jan Oblak’s heroics to save from Lucas Vázquez, Marcos Llorente’s penalty came back off the crossbar. Neither penalty was explicitly bad — but a good penalty is one that goes in.
Oblak then got a good hand to Antonio Rüdiger’s penalty, and the world stopped as it seemed like Atlético were back in this again, only for the ball to bounce over the line and into the net.
Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg Photo by Alberto Gardin/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
It must also be said that Atleti were probably fortunate themselves to have taken the game to the shootout. Vinícius Júnior missed a penalty in the 70th minute that could have had the tie done in normal time. A rare miss under pressure from the Brazilian continued to give the Rojiblancos hope that this might finally be their day, though ultimately it was not meant to be.
Atlético pay the price for first-leg passivity
Going to the Bernabéu is never easy, especially in the Champions League. In my preview piece, I noted that the risk of being too passive in the first leg could potentially cost Simeone’s side. After all, despite being in the hunt for La Liga, it must be said that this Real Madrid side have struggled for consistency this season. Compared to the other Los Blancos sides that Simeone has come up against, this side is probably the one that has most been there for the taking. Conversely, this is probably the best side across positions that Cholo has had to compete with the city rivals.
To muster up just two shots on target, one of which an absolute worldie from Alvarez, should be deemed as below par. The score line was certainly forgiving and, if not for Llorente’s last ditch tackle late in the game, Atlético might have found themselves two goals down — a deficit that would have added to an already difficult challenge.
Replacing Javi Galán and Samuel Lino with Reinildo and Conor Gallagher worked wonders for the second leg, and we are left to wonder what might have been had the pair started the fixture last week. Unfortunately, that decision proved to be too costly.
Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
History repeats itself
The Real Madrid curse continues. When Vinícius’s penalty sailed over the net in normal time, you could sense the air change around the Metropolitano. For decades Atleti have been the side on the wrong end of such moments and here, they had finally been presented with a lifeline.
However, it lasted all but 50 minutes. No matter how hard the Rojiblancos try, beating the city rivals in this competition has been a step too far. We have all been here before – seconds away, inches away, yet never able to finally cross that line. Tonight they were possibly as close as they have ever been. It is another bitter pill to swallow, but it only seems like a matter of time before Cholo overcomes Real Madrid in the Champions League. When it happens, it will be special.
All is not over for Atlético Madrid this season, far from it. Well in the hunt for the league and Copa del Rey, they welcome FC Barcelona to the Metropolitano this weekend. Victory could see them go top of the table, and it would definitely give them an advantage heading into the business end of the season. The Catalan side will visit once more in the Copa del Rey in a couple of weeks as well, a continuation of the thrilling 4-4 draw last month.
While today is a difficult day, the Rojiblancos still have the chance to put this behind them in stunning fashion — another heist of La Liga would certainly sweeten up this memory.