Key Takeaways
- Atletico Madrid earned a 1-1 draw against Arsenal at the Metropolitano in the Champions League semi-final first leg.
- Antoine Griezmann praised his team’s second-half display but admitted they must be more clinical in front of goal at the Emirates.
- Jan Oblak insists his side will need a ‘perfect game’ in London next week to overcome the Premier League giants.
Atletico Madrid’s players have vowed to fight until the end after holding Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. The Spanish side fell behind at the Metropolitano on Tuesday night, but Julian Alvarez levelled the score from the penalty spot.
French forward Antoine Griezmann received the man of the match award for his energetic display. He told reporters that his biggest dream is to play in the final. ‘I have worked hard for this match and for the second leg. I hope we can make it happen,’ he said.
Griezmann explained that his team improved greatly after the break. ‘Our second half was much stronger. We pressed with more intensity. That is how we must play in London,’ he stated. However, he also apologised for missing three clear chances to score. ‘I will put them in the net next week,’ he promised.
Midfielder Marcos Llorente agreed that the tie remains wide open. ‘Everything is still to play for,’ he commented. ‘They won the first half and we won the second. We made life very difficult for them.’ He warned that the return leg will be ‘another war’ between two teams with clear identities.
Llorente added that Atletico must take more risks in the final third. ‘We need to press high and be brave. The team that is more efficient will win,’ he explained.
American midfielder Johnny Cardoso came on as a substitute and shared similar thoughts. ‘I do not see any favourites in this tie,’ he said. ‘We have confidence in ourselves. We know we can go to London and play a great game.’
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak also spoke to the media. The Slovenian star failed to stop Arsenal’s penalty but was pleased that VAR cancelled a second spot-kick for the visitors. ‘It is always better when they do not give penalties,’ he joked. ‘The referee checked it and we agree with his decision.’
Oblak admitted he was angry to concede from Viktor Gyokeres’ powerful strike. ‘I was close to saving it, but he hit the ball with maximum power. We must forget this now and focus on the league this weekend,’ he said.
The keeper remembers the 4-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates earlier this season, but he is not worried. ‘That was a different game. This is a semi-final. We will do everything to reach the final,’ he declared. ‘We all need to play a perfect match on Tuesday.’
The second leg will take place at the Emirates Stadium next Tuesday. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was frustrated with the referee’s decisions, while Atletico coach Diego Simeone was happy with his team’s reaction after half-time.