[ad_1]
Real Madrid reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a well-deserved 3-1 victory over Atalanta.
Real Madrid – Atalanta: Live Blog
The game in brief
Atalanta played bravely from the start, squandering the first good chance of the match in the third minute in the person of Robin Gosens. The Italians were the slightly better team in the later course of the first half, but then fell behind in the 34th minute due to an individual error by goalkeeper Marco Sportiello.
The goalkeeper hit a clear ball at the feet of Luka Modrić, whose cross pass was used by Karim Benzema to lead the Madrilenians.
Real Madrid had a better start in the second half and, after a good solo from Vinícius Júnior, missed the great opportunity to make it 2-0. In the 60th minute it was then captain Sergio Ramos who made the preliminary decision with a converted penalty.
The Whites stayed on the trigger and missed the third goal through Karim Benzema, who missed first at Sportiello and then at the post.
Atalanta bravely prepared for the looming final and cut it to 1: 2 with a remarkable free-kick from Luis Muriel. Practically in return, Marco Asensio was there and recovered the old distance.
Man of the Match: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid)
“Because of his balance between offense and defense, the organization of the game and the preparatory work until 1-0. All season he was the best man on the court.”
Ginés Meléndez, UEFA technical observer
All players in the UEFA Champions League game.
Rections
Sergio Ramos, Kapitän Real Madrid: “Our goal was to go to the next round, we did it with a great result. We could have scored more goals, but we are very satisfied with our performance.”
Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta coach: “It is always a special experience for the coach, the players and the club. We had the opportunity to play against the best teams in Europe. We did well this season, but we are also a bit disappointed by the last two games.”
Duván Zapata, Stürmer Atalanta: “We are disappointed because we really wanted to get through. We couldn’t play our football tonight. It’s a shame it was like that.”
Statistics
• Benzema is the fifth player to score 70 goals in the UEFA Champions League, behind Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Cristiano Ronaldo and Raúl González.
• Real Madrid have consistently scored in the last 22 UEFA Champions League knockout matches.
• Real Madrid have scored two or more goals in seven of their last eight UEFA Champions League home games.
• Atalanta have failed to score in the first half of their last seven UEFA Champions League games.
Constellations
Real Madrid: Courtois; Nacho, Varane, Ramos (64. Éder Militão), Mendy; Kroos, Modrić, Valverde (82. Asensio); Vázquez, Benzema, Vinícius (69. Rodrygo)
Atalanta: Sportiello; Tolói (61. Palomino), Romero, Djimsiti; Mæhle, De Roon, Pessina (84. Caldara), Gosens (57. Iličić); Pašalić (46. Zapata), Malinovskyi; Muriel (84th Miranchuk)
Whats Next?
The quarter-final and semi-final draws will be broadcast live on UEFA.com on Friday 19 March at noon. There is no seed list or country protection.
