Atletico keep the dream alive

Atletico Madrid's dream remains very much alive. The Rojiblancos managed to beat FC Bayern Munich 1-0 in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, a result which takes them much closer to the big final in Milan.

A place in the final of Europe's elite competition was at stake and you could feel the importance of the occasion in the air. The Vicente Calderon stadium was packed to the rafters and the fans got behind their team from the off with a spectacular mosaic spelling out the message: "Atleti, we love you. Together to the final." 

Atletico started the game with their usual zest and their reward was not long in coming. It was all down to the genius of Saul Niguez, who made it 1-0after just 11 minutes with a breathtaking piece of play. He skipped past several defenders before advancing into the area and sending the ball into the back of the net with a shot which crept just inside the post.

After conceding, Bayern kept their heads up and started to cause problems for Atletico. In fact, Douglas Costa almost equalised with a free-kick which smashed into the side netting. Nevertheless, Diego Simeone's men put the fear back into their opponents with an Antoine Griezmann shot which Manuel Neuer kept out with his left leg.

The second half started with Bayern on the offensive. The crossbar, following a shot from distance by David Alaba, and Jan Oblak, following a Javi Martinez header, kept the imposing Bayern at bay. The woodwork also prevented Fernando Torres from making it 2-0 to the Madrilenians in a counter-attack orchestrated by Griezmann.

In the final stages of the game, Atletico's defensive solidity got the job done to ensure that they kept a clean sheet and sealed the victory. The Rojiblancos now head into the second leg at the Allianz Arena with a very promising advantage.