Atletico Madrid claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League quarter-final first leg match at the Wanda Metropolitano. Goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Samuel Lino secured the victory for the hosts, with Dortmund managing to pull one back through Sebastien Haller in the closing minutes of the game. Atletico started with an aggressive press, capitalizing on Dortmund errors to take an early lead. However, Dortmund improved in the second half after introducing Julian Brandt, but were unable to find an equalizer despite several chances.
The decision to bench Julian Brandt proved costly for Borussia Dortmund in the first half, as they struggled to create chances and were constantly under pressure from Atletico’s high press. Brandt’s introduction at halftime sparked a resurgence in the team’s performance, providing a creative spark and helping them push forward in search of a goal. His header that hit the crossbar in injury time almost salvaged a draw for Dortmund, highlighting the impact he had on the team when he came on.
Samuel Lino was named the player of the match for his performance for Atletico Madrid, particularly his role down the left flank. The Brazilian winger was a constant threat, pinning back Dortmund’s defense and contributing to his team’s attacking play. His goal, which came after a sweeping move involving Griezmann and Morata, proved to be the decisive moment of the game, giving Atletico a crucial advantage going into the second leg in Dortmund.
The player ratings for both teams reflected their performances on the night, with Lino receiving a high score for his influential display. Atletico’s solid defensive display, led by Jan Oblak and Jose Gimenez, helped them withstand Dortmund’s late pressure and secure the win. Dortmund, on the other hand, will rue missed opportunities and defensive mistakes that cost them in the first leg.
Key moments in the game included De Paul’s early goal, Lino’s clinical finish to make it 2-0, and Haller’s late strike that gave Dortmund hope of a comeback. Bynoe-Gittens also came close to scoring with a powerful shot that hit the crossbar. In the end, Atletico held on for the win, but Dortmund will be looking to turn the tie around in the second leg at home. The match highlighted the importance of key players like Brandt and Lino in influencing the outcome of high-stakes games in the Champions League.
