04/16/2024 3:29 p.m.Updated on 04/16/2024 6:08 p.m.
Atlético de Madrid’s dream in the Champions League ended. Not even with an Ángel Correa who changed his face could he overcome the series against a Borussia Dortmund reversed the 1-2 lead in the first leg and won 4-2 in Germany to reach the semifinals. A great disappointment for Diego Simeone’s men because the classification escaped them in an item that in other times of Cholo’s extensive cycle would not have passed: its defensive fragility.
Cholo’s lament (AFP).
To play in front of the famous ‘yellow wall’ of Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund’s home field, the Argentine coach put together his classic 5-3-2. But as has been happening this season, accumulating defenders is not synonymous with defending well: in this 2023/24 he accumulates his worst records in the Simeone era. The plan of holding back and going on the counter didn’t work because the Germans put them in their area and took advantage of the gaps in that line of five to hurt them.
In the corridor between Nahuel Molina (from a weak game) and Axel Witsel, Julian Brandt and Ian Maatsen filtered in and from there they made it 2-0 to go ahead at halftime and against an Atleti that did not react. Cholo made three changes for ST: Ángel Correa, Pablo Barrios and Rodrigo Riquelme, the three who gave him the presence he was missing in the midfield and thus took control of the match with Rodrigo de Paul joining the circuit.
The goal on the 10th (AP) was not enough.
And in that change of roles he got the discount fortuitously: Mats Hummels accidentally deflected a header from Mario Hermoso and it was a goal against for 1-2. From there began the Correa show, the world champion who alone stood up to the giant yellow defenders. After missing a goal by very little, his goal came, 2-2, so he insisted. He pushed her and unleashed the red-and-white delirium because with that scream he was giving the passage to his people.
However, once again with everything in favor, Atlético escaped. When he wasn’t suffering, a cross arrived and Niclas Füllkrug’s impeccable 9-point header arrived. And, in three minutes he went from winner of the bracket to loser because Marcel Sabitzer finished for the final 4-2. A painful elimination against the rival that everyone wanted to face in the quarterfinal draw.
The joy of the locals (AFP).
In short, it ended up being a reality check for this Colchonero without nuances. Black and white. Because just as he is almost devastating at home, as a visitor he got used to suffering and losing often. QThat’s why he is also fourth in LaLiga, far from the fight and fighting to qualify for the next Orejona. The dream that she had of lifting her up or of going far disappeared again for those of Cholo. An internal debt also seeing the way in which he was left out: the complete opposite of the solidity and ‘unocerism’ to which he had become accustomed.
The party was all yellow. This Borussia Dortmund that is fifth! In the Bundesliga he brought out his good names and offensive play and reached the semi-finals ofwhere he will meet PSG again, with whom he already shared the group stage. And, why not, dream of winning their second Champions League after winning it in 19.
