MADRID, Feb 19, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Liverpool will need another second leg
fightback against Spanish opposition at Anfield to progress to the Champions
League quarter-finals after Saul Niguez’s early strike handed Atletico Madrid
a 1-0 last 16, first leg victory on Tuesday.
The European champions thrashed Barcelona 4-0 after losing the first leg
of their semi-final 3-0 in Catalonia last season and do not need such a
dramatic turn of events this time round.
However, after romping to a 25-point lead at the top of the Premier
League, defeat was a really check for the Reds that they will not have it
easy if they are to retain the Champions League.
AFP Sport looks at three things we learned as Diego Simeone’s Atletico
rolled back the years.
Atletico rise to the occasion
It was not just the holders’ relentless form in the Premier League that
made Liverpool huge favourites to progress before the tie, but Atletico’s
poor season so far that has seen Simeone’s future questioned for the first
time in his eight-year reign.
However, on the big occasion, Atleti revelled in rolling back the years to
play the role of underdogs to perfection.
Saul’s early strike provided the perfect platform for a classic Champions
League performance from a Simeone side as the Spaniards soaked up Liverpool’s
possession and pressure without Jan Oblak even being stretched to keep a
clean sheet.
Another huge effort will be required to prevent another famous Anfield
fightback on a European night in three week’s time.
A year ago, Atletico beat Juventus 2-0 at home in the first leg of their
last 16 tie only to be eliminated by old foe Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick.
However, thanks to a raucous atmosphere with Simeone characteristically
playing the role of conductor, they at least preserved a proud home record in
European competition under the Argentine with now 37 wins and just three
defeats in 46 games.
Better call Saul
Saul has been one of Atletico’s key players who has failed to match his
normally high standards this season.
However, the Spanish international has a habit of coming up with big goals
from midfield on Champions League nights.
He scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich that took Atleti
to the final in 2016 and was on target in another semi-final win against Real
Madrid a year later.
Saul’s first in the Champions League this season was far from his most
spectacular in the competition as he slotted home from close range after
Liverpool failed to clear a corner.
But it was more than good enough to give Atletico hope of pulling off a
huge shock.
Liverpool’s travel sickness
Defeat may have been just Liverpool’s second with a senior team in all
competitions this season, but both have come in the Champions League and
follows a trend of difficult trips across the continent for Jurgen Klopp’s
men.
The Reds have lost seven of their last 11 away Champions League games and
are once again left relying on fortress Anfield to progress.
Despite enjoying nearly 70 percent possession, Liverpool did not manage a
single shot on target against the mass ranks of Atletico defence on an off
night for their two top scorers.
Sadio Mane was substituted at half-time as the Senegalese ran the risk of
being sent-off before Mohamed Salah was also replaced by Klopp 20 minutes
from time.