Atlético: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda,
Godín, Filipe Luis; Mario Suárez, Gabi; Koke (Diego 60'),
Adrián (Salvio 69'), Arda Turan; Falcao. 4-2-3-1.
Hannover:
Zieler; Cherundolo, Eggimann, Pogatetz, Pander (Schulz 69'); Stindl,
Sergio Pinto, Schmiedebach (Konan Ya 55'), Rausch; Schlaudraff, Diouf
(Abdellaoue 81'). 4-4-2.
Goals:
1-0. 09. Falcao. Glancing header wide of Zieler from
long Gabi free kick.
1-1. 38. Diouf. Slid ball past Courtois after Stindl
crossed in from right.
2-1. 89. Salvio. Picked up ball outside area and
curled shot past keeper.
A late goal from Salvio gave Atlético Madrid a 2-1 victory over Hannover '96 in the first leg of their Europa League quarter final, although they still have some work to do in Germany next week if they are to make it through to the last four. Simeone's side took the lead when Falcao headed in Gabi's long free kick in the ninth minute, and Mario Suárez, Adrián and Falcao all went close as Atleti pushed forward for more. But Hannover had already knocked Sevilla out of the competition in the early stages, and with eight minutes to go to the break Diouf got behind Miranda to connect with Stindl's cross and equalise. Falcao, Adrián and Turan all missed chances after the restart, but Courtois had to make a point blank save from Diouf to keep the scores level. And with the game coming to an end Salvio picked up the ball outside of the area and curled a shot past Zieler for the winner. A narrow lead for the second leg which could have been bigger had Zieler not kept out an acrobatic overhead kick from Diego in injury time, but with Juanfran, Gabi and Turan all picking up bookings which will keep them out next week, it is going to be touch and go.