SUMMARY
- Atletico Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1.
- Samuel Lino was the star of the show with a goal to his name.
Atletico Madrid took on Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League 23/24. The Spanish team hoisted Dortmund in its state-of-the-art Civitas Metropolitano stadium.
The match was an interesting affair, considering that both Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are two very historic clubs from Europe. Both teams have very passionate fans who want to see their respective club qualify for the UCL23/24 semi-finals.
First leg win 🤩 pic.twitter.com/WAwldUZoms
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) April 10, 2024
However, although pundits had predicted a very tightly contested game between the two, the exact opposite happened in the match played in Madrid. Atletico Madrid absolutely ran riots over their German opponent as Dortmund looked pretty clueless throughout the match.
Atletico Madrid takes the lead on aggregate after a strong performance
‘Los Rojiblancos’ are now in pole position to advance into their first semi-final since the 2016/17 season of the UCL. The team utilized the 60,000+ fan support pretty well, whose incredible support had turned the Civitas into a cauldron.
Borussia Dortmund looked pretty nervous in the first half, as the German team could not even complete simple passes amidst incessant pressing from Atletico. And that is exactly how Dortmund conceded the two first-half goals.
Atletico Madrid pressed Borussia Dortmund pretty high up the pitch, which paid dividends. Rodrigo De Paul and Samuel Lino profited from the mistakes from the mistakes of the German team’s defense. The Dortmund players were very sloppy in passing in their own half, which resulted in two goals.
Rodrigo De Paul takes advantage of the mistake and gives Atletico Madrid the 1-0 lead against Borussia Dortmund. ⚽️🇦🇷pic.twitter.com/zhYCzE8xtO
— LaLigaExtra (@LaLigaExtra) April 10, 2024
While Rodrigo De Paul slotted a comfortable finish beating Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, Samuel Lino was assisted brilliantly by Atleti’s underrated gem Antoine Griezmann. The Frenchman was also adjudged MOTM against Dortmund. The Spanish team then defended deep with a 5-3-2 formation to protect their lead in the first half.
Borussia Dortmund then improved their gameplay in the second half and came close several times to take the lead. The German team continued to play in a 4-3-3, however, their striker Niclas Fullkrug dropped deep more often to connect with the team.
Dortmund’s attacking flare would soon bear fruit as substitute Sebastian Haller made it 2-1 for Borussia Dortmund in the 81st minute. The Ivorian striker demonstrated exquisite technique to receive a deflected pass and then place the ball calmly in Jan Oblak’s net.
Atletico Madrid’s aim in the second half was not to blow away their lead at any cost, since the home win could certainly prove to be very important. ‘Los Rojiblancos’ would have to travel to the passionate Signal Iduna Park, where Borussia Dortmund will be immense favorites to win the game.
Although Borussia Dortmund’s possession of 67% was way higher than Atletico Madrid’s 37%, the Spanish team did very well to defend their lead. ‘Los Rojiblancos’ are masters in defensive solidarity under their coach Diego Simeone.
The Spanish team had its fair share of chances in the second half as well but were pretty wasteful with their finishing. Substitute Angel Correa could have profited from a Mats Hummels mistake in the 85th minute, but his shot was saved comfortably by Kobel. While Julian Brandt almost equalized for his team in the 96th minute, his effort hit the woodwork.
Samuel Lino hurts Borussia Dortmund’s feelings once again
The Brazilian was in stellar form against the German team in the quarter-final first leg. Apart from his important goal the 24-year-old made tireless runs up and down the pitch during his time on the pitch. The left wing-back has shown incredible maturity with his play in his first full season with Atleti, shining with his dribbling and passing maneuvers.
However, his goal against Borussia Dortmund will be etched into his memory once and for all, as the goal might reminisce about his old connection with the German team. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano had in between the game unveiling a huge secret between the Brazilian player and Borussia Dortmund.
Reportedly the 1996/97 UCL winners wanted to hijack Atletico’s deal to sign Samuel Lino in 2022. Dortmund offered around €15 million ($18 million) to Gil Vicente against the Spanish team’s offer of around €6.5 million ($8 million). However, Fabrizio revealed that Atletico Madrid’s sporting director Andrea Berta had already finalized the deal by then.
🔴⚪️🇧🇷 Samuel Lino makes it 13 G/A this season with tonight’s goal…
Curious story: Atlético director Berta signed him for €6.5m, Borussia Dortmund tried to hijack the deal for €15m but it was all signed. Too late.
…and he scored vs BVB tonight. ✨ pic.twitter.com/hG2OPfSWPO
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 10, 2024
Samuel Lino was then loaned out to Valencia CF for one season, before returning to his parent club in the summer of 2023. The Brazilian has adapted to elite European soccer very quickly as demonstrated by his G/A record as a defender.
He also has a better G/A (3 goals, 3 assists.) than any other defenders in the last 6 editions of the UCL. However, the Brazilian will be ruled out of the match against Borussia Dortmund next Tuesday after facing a yellow card in the first leg. It will be interesting to see how Atletico Madrid copes against the famous yellow wall without the Brazilian.