Atletico Madrid’s push for a Champions League top-eight finish suffered a setback after they were held to a 1–1 draw by Galatasaray in Istanbul on Wednesday night, leaving their route to automatic qualification for the last 16 increasingly uncertain.
The visitors made a dream start when Giuliano Simeone struck in the fourth minute, giving Diego Simeone’s side early control and briefly lifting them into the provisional top eight. However, Atletico were unable to build on the advantage and were pegged back midway through the first half by an unfortunate Marcos Llorente own goal, restoring parity for the hosts.
Galatasaray levelled after 20 minutes when Llorente diverted Roland Sallai’s cross into his own net while attempting to intercept, denying Jan Oblak a clean sheet on his 100th Champions League appearance. The Turkish side almost went ahead before the break, but Baris Yilmaz wasted a clear opportunity, firing over the bar when well placed.
Atletico pressed after the restart and came close to regaining the lead just before the hour mark, only for Abdulkerim Bardakci to clear David Hancko’s goal-bound effort off the line. Diego Simeone later introduced Antoine Griezmann in place of Alexander Sorloth, while keeping Julian Alvarez on the pitch despite the forward’s recent struggles in front of goal. Alvarez, who has scored once in his last 10 matches, delivered a more energetic display than in recent outings.
Late chances fell Atletico’s way, with Griezmann forcing a sharp save from goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir from a free-kick, before the Galatasaray shot-stopper denied Alex Baena to preserve the draw. The hosts nearly snatched victory at the death, but Llorente redeemed himself with a crucial last-ditch interception to stop Eren Elmali from pulling the trigger.
The result leaves Galatasaray facing a tough final fixture away to Manchester City, where they will look to secure a place in the play-off round. Atletico, meanwhile, host Bodo/Glimt in their final league-phase match, still with a chance of breaking into the top eight but now with little margin for error.
Barcelona opened up a four-point lead at the top of La Liga as they came from behind to defeat Atletico Madrid 3-1.
Raphinha cancelled out Alex Baena’s opener for the visitors at the Nou Camp, before Dani Olmo’s smart finish turned the match around with 25 minutes left to play and Ferran Torres scored a late third.
Barcelona trailed league leaders Real Madrid by five points after a 2-1 defeat in El Clasico in October, but five games later have a buffer at the top having played one game more. Los Blancos will travel to Bilbao to face Athletic Club on Wednesday.
Atletico took a 19th-minute lead when Baena latched on to a long pass over Barcelona’s high defensive line and beat goalkeeper Joan Garcia with a dinked finish.
The assistant referee flagged for offside, but the goal was given after a video assistant referee (VAR) check.
Raphinha drew Hansi Flick’s side level seven minutes later when he ran on to Pedri’s precision through ball, rounded Jan Oblak and finished into the empty goal.
Barca dominated the remainder of the first half and were awarded a penalty when Pablo Barrios felled Olmo, but Robert Lewandowski blazed his effort well over the crossbar.
The second half descended into a breathless end-to-end encounter, and Barca took advantage when Olmo dragged a shot into the bottom corner following a mazy dribble from Lamine Yamal.
Diego Simeone’s side should have equalised when Thiago Almada somehow missed an open goal after rounding Garcia, but Torres wrapped up the win with a close-range finish after controlling Alejandro Balde’s cross.
Victory for Barcelona was soured by a shoulder injury sustained by Olmo in the act of scoring, as well as glaring missed by Lewandowski and Raphinha.
Barcelona, following a dominant victory over Girona that kept them at the top of La Liga, are now set to face Atlético Madrid in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Wednesday night at the Estadio Metropolitano. The tie remains wide open after a dramatic 4-4 draw in the first leg, which has been one of the most thrilling encounters of the season. Atlético Madrid, who are now out of the Champions League, will be fully focused on the Copa del Rey, as it’s their last opportunity for silverware. A trophy-less season would be considered a failure for Diego Simeone’s team, and they will go all out in this crucial match.
Barcelona, aware of the intense atmosphere and the stakes involved, must be prepared for a potentially grueling 120 minutes of play, with the possibility of extra time or penalties. The game will be a high-pressure encounter between two of Europe’s top teams, despite Atlético’s recent struggles in the league. Hansi Flick has proven to be adept at handling big games and making key tactical decisions, and Barcelona will need his expertise to push through against a motivated Atlético side. The match promises to be a dramatic battle, with both teams desperate for a place in the final.
Real Madrid also advanced to the Copa del Rey final after a dramatic 4-4 draw against Real Sociedad, securing their spot after extra time. This sets the stage for what could be a potential El Clásico final in Seville, with a trophy on the line. For now, Barcelona must focus on ending Atlético Madrid’s season and booking their place in the final, where they could face their fierce rivals.
Competition/Round: 2024-25 Copa del Rey, Semi-Finals, 2nd Leg
Barcelona Outs & Doubts: Marc-André ter Stegen, Marc Casadó, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal (out), Andreas Christensen (doubt)
Atlético Outs & Doubts: Koke (doubt)
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 2, 2025 9.30pm CET (Barcelona) 8.30pm BST/WAT (UK & Nigeria) 3.30pm ET 12.30pm PT (USA) 1am IST (India, Thursday)
With Spanish champions Real Madrid and their arch-rivals Barcelona in Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup, Atletico Madrid’s sights are firmly set on top spot in La Liga. Diego Simeone’s side have won 13 games straight across all competitions and a victory against visitors Osasuna tomorrow would take them clear of Los Blancos by a point at the halfway mark of the league campaign.
Another triumph would hoist them six points clear of Barcelona, who led the table for much of the first half of the season before a slump in November and December. The only time Atletico have managed to finish as ‘winter champions’ in Simeone’s reign was in the 2021-22 season, when they went on to win the title.
Their run of winning form is the joint best in the club’s history, along with an identical stretch in 2012 relatively early in Simeone’s tenure.
Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement to sign Spain defender Robin le Normand from Real Sociedad.
The 27-year-old centre-back helped his country win Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.
Atletico said, external the move will be “formalised in the coming days, when the player returns from the holidays”.
Real Sociedad also confirmed the deal with La Liga rivals Atletico for a player who helped them win the Copa del Rey in 2021.
“Robin arrived at Zubieta in 2016 and, after two seasons with Sanse, he debuted in the third season and steadily secured a spot in the first team,” said Real Sociedad., external
Manchester United were one of four clubs to secure qualification for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League ( UCL ) in the final round of group games on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford scored as United defeated CSKA Moscow 2-1 and finished top of Group A, while Swiss champions Basel won 2-0 away at Benfica to join them in going through.
A contentious goal awarded to Vitinho gave CSKA a shock lead on half-time, but Lukaku and Rashford struck twice in two second-half minutes to send Jose Mourinho’s side into the last 16 as Group A winners.
Italian champions Juventus qualified from Group D after a 2-0 victory against Olympiakos in Greece, and Roma are through from Group C thanks to a 1-0 win at home to Qarabag.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid were eliminated from the Champions League after a 1-1 draw at Chelsea that denied the English side top spot in Group C.
It was a depressing evening for both clubs at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday as neither got what they wanted from their final group fixture.
Atletico had to win to have a chance of advancing, but although Saul Niguez’s second-half header put the visitors ahead, Chelsea drew level through a Stefan Savic own goal.
In the end, Roma’s win against Qarabag in the other group match made the result irrelevant for Diego Simeone’s team, who failed to qualify for the last 16 for only the second time and the first since the 2009-10 season.
It was a painful moment for Atletico and, after finishing as Champions League runners-up in 2014 and 2016, they are now consigned to the Europa League.
“It’s part of football. It hurts but there are no excuses. The responsibility is ours,” Simeone said.
“This can be a new challenge. Everything bad we can make into a positive.”
Chelsea were already through to the knockout stages, but blew their chance to finish in first place and in theory earn an easier draw.
Having lost and drawn against Roma, Chelsea finished second behind the Italians due to their inferior head-to-head record. (NAN)
Defending champions Real Madrid set up another mouth-watering meeting with Juventus in next month’s UEFA Champions League final in Cardiff, after holding off a spirited Atletico Madrid on Wednesday..
Atletico trailed 0-3 from the first leg, and looked unlikely to overturn the deficit and deny their rich neighbours the chance of repeating their 1998 meeting with Juventus.
They stormed into an early 2-0 lead through Saul Niguez’s header and Antoine Griezmann’s cheeky penalty kick, but real grabbed a vital away goal.
This was when Isco poked in a rebound after Toni Kroos’ fierce shot, following a brilliant run by Karim Benzema, was saved.
The stunning goal checked Atletico’s momentum and left them needing three more goals to reach a third Champions League final in four seasons.
Scoring hances were few for both teams after the game’s break, although substitute Kevin Gameiro missed two presentable chances to give the home side some hope.
As it was, the damage from the first leg was irreversible as Real beat their neighbours in the competition for the fourth successive season.
The defending champions, attempting to become the first team to win the Champions League twice in a row, will meet Juventus at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on June 3.
OLAL
The Bernabéu bounced and burst into song, the lyrics ringing around this arena the same that had adorned the huge banner unfurled at the south end before the kick-off. “Tell me how it feels,” they gloated. High in the north end, Atlético’s supporters sat in silence, stunned. This felt terrible. It was happening again, the pain unbearable. For a fourth consecutive year, they had met their rivals and for a fourth consecutive year they had fallen.
There will be another meeting between these sides but like all those derbies from an era of dominance Atlético thought they had left behind, it is likely to be irrelevant. Real were leading 3-0, on course for a third final in three years. Five times Cristiano Ronaldo scored against Bayern Munich in the quarter-final; three times he scored against Atlético in the semi-final. The first leg of the semi-final, that is. The first came after 10 minutes, the last after 86. In between them, Atlético did not manage a shot on target for the first time this season.
Real’s past 11 goals in this competition had come in the second half and opponents had scored first in each of their four games in the knockout stage, but here a goal arrived early. Ten minutes had gone when Sergio Ramos was given time to cross from the right, the ball curling towards Ronaldo, hovering behind Diego Godín. The defender headed out, but only as far as Casemiro, who struck the ball straight back in. He did not hit it well but it bounced up and Ronaldo, six yards out, headed past Jan Oblak.
Ronaldo heads home Real Madrid’s opener. Photograph: Javier Lizon/ EPA
The Bernabéu went wild. On the touchline, Diego Simeone was tapping his head. Think, but about what? It would have been difficult not to think about all those other times, three European defeats in three seasons, all at the hands of Real; difficult not to feel that pessimism returning, the inevitability of it all, the cruelty. Much of the build-up had focused on psychology. “If the past has to weigh on someone, let it be them,” Dani Carvajal had said, and that did appear to be happening.
Atlético looked rattled; even when they had the ball – and there were periods when they had a significant amount of it – there was a lack of conviction. They passed but rarely with intent or belief; often it was underhit. Koke swapped sides with Yannick Carrasco, seeking control, and while there was an improvement he was unusually imprecise. When he tried to thread it through gaps, the gaps closed. One superb pass that did cut through Real’s back four found Kévin Gameiro racing alone into the area, but as he slowed momentarily Keylor Navas sprinted towards him and, diving full length, took the ball from his toe.
When Atlético looked up, Real stood in their way. On the wings, especially, Atlético were struggling. Lucas Hernández, drafted in at right back, was not enjoying himself. Oblak had already made a sharp save from Karim Benzema before the goal. After it, Luka Modric struck wide, Raphael Varane’s header was superbly saved and Benzema hit a wonderful overhead kick just past the bar.
Ronaldo fires home his second goal. Photograph: Lars Baron/Getty Images
Atlético’s first shot did not arrive until the half hour, when Antoine Griezmann’s clever free-kick found Godín sliding in at the far post. Real had taken 10 by then, although as the half progressed Atlético did wrestle back some control – they had stemmed the bleeding for now.
Atlético had been unexpectedly passive defensively and while there was little danger when they came forward, the good news was that trailed by only one. Real also lost Carvajal, going to ground holding his hamstring at the end of the first half. From full back, he had been Real’s greatest threat; Marcelo on the other side had also concerned the visitors. Carvajal was replaced by Nacho Fernández who drew applause from the stadium when he won a race with Carrasco.
Atlético took a step forward, Real a step back. Yet if they appeared to be dropping too deep, Atlético lacked clarity in the final pass and the counter-attack is a weapon Zinedine Zidane’s side use better than anyone. If a lot happened in the first half, little was happening now.
Ronaldo celebrates after completing his hat-trick. Photograph: Paul Hanna/Action Images via Reuters/Livepic
Fernando Torres and Nico Gaitín replaced Saúl and Gameiro, then Correa went on for Angel Carrasco, but their impact was minimal. Atlético advanced, but only so far. Ronaldo’s impact, by contrast, was gigantic. Real controlled, rarely suffered, and then they hit. They had been the better side almost from the start, but it was not resolved until the end. With 73 minutes gone, Marcelo crossed from the left, Benzema held off Godín and nudged it on for him. Opening up his body, he smashed the shot into the top corner.
Soon another followed. Atlético sought the goal that would give them a chance; instead, they conceded the goal that means they surely have no chance. Lucas Vázquez broke up the right and pulled back for Ronaldo to finish with a simple side-foot shot. It was his 103rd Champions League goal, more than Atlético have ever scored.
ALVARO NEGREDO has been targeted by Atletico Madrid as they prepare a £20m bid for the Manchester City striker.
Spanish champions Atletico are close to completing the sale of Diego Costa to Chelsea and want to use the money on a bid for Negredo.
The Costa deal could even be announced today – paving the way for an official offer for Negredo.
City striker Negredo enjoyed a successful start to his career at the Etihad before suffering a big dip in form.
He is currently on holiday in Ibiza but is aware of Atletico’s interest. Their offer is expected to include additional performance-related payments which could push the final fee even higher.
Manuel Pellegrini does not want to sell Negredo but sources in Spain claim Atletico have been given encouragement behind the scenes that City will listen to offers.
Negredo scored 23 goals last season but ended up missing out on a place in Spain’s World Cup squad and faces fierce competition for a starting spot at City next season.
Champions League finalists Atletico could guarantee him more first-team football in Spain, where he is also more likely to grab the attention of his national team manager.
Meanwhile, City are set to cash in if Gareth Barry completes his ‘free transfer’ to Everton.
FORMER Under-23 captain, Kingsley Udoh, has stated that his proposed move to Uruguay, a country in South America, is motivated by the encouraging pay and the opportunity to have himself toughened for a later career in Europe.
Udoh, a member of the 2007 class of the Golden Eaglets, recently travelled to Uruguay where he is presently undergoing trials with the country’s league champions Atletico de Penarol.
In a chat Udoh said that he would like to start his adventure outside Nigeria from the South American league from where he hopes to make a huge leap to Europe in the nearest future.
The Akwa Ibom born Heartland defender stressed that he would be returning to Nigeria in time for the yuletide period but would go back to Uruguay before the end of January next year when the league season is expected to start in the country which has produced enterprising world beaters like Edison Cavani, Luis Suarez.
“I am in Uruguay to get prepared and toughened for a later career in Europe. I am here for the money too because I learnt their pay is alright.
“I am training with Atletico de Penarol and they are the Uruguayan’s champions. The league season ended last weekend which means I will come back to Nigeria briefly for the Christmas and New Year break and I will then go back before the start of the new season by January ending/ early February,” Udoh said.
