Atlético: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godín, Filipe Luis; Gabi, Tiago; Raúl García, Adrián (Diego Ribas 61’), Koke; David Villa (Cristian Rodríguez 78’). 4-2-3-1.
Barcelona: Pinto; Dani Alves, Marc Bartra, Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta (Pedro 71’); Messi, Fàbregas (Alexis 61’), Neymar. 4-3-3.
Goals:
1-0. 05. Koke.Turned shot past Pinto after Raúl García headed over Villa cross.
Celebrations in the other half of Madrid tonight as Atlético beat Barcelona 1-0 to join city rivals Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League. The Colchoneros had not reached that stage of the top European competition in forty years, but the 1-1 draw in the Nou Camp eight days ago had given them the edge going in to this match. Simeone’s side got off to an electrifying start, Adrián hitting the post in the fourth minute, and in the following play Koke turning the ball past Pinto after Raúl García headed across a David Villa centre. Soon afterwards Villa hit the post again, and with the Barcelona defence in disarray it seemed only a matter of time before Atlético would score again. Gradually though the game settled down, and Messi headed a good chance wide, and then turned another shot past the post from Neymar’s cross. Villa fired a shot against the woodwork for a third time however, his angled shot coming back off the crossbar, and Barça were lucky to go in at the break only a goal down. After the restart honours were more or less shared, Xavi and Neymar in particular heading wide, and Gabi and Cristian Rodríguez both getting free on goal but unable to beat Pinto. But even with all their fire-power on the pitch Tata Martino’s side were unable to beat the excellent Courtois and his well ordered defence, and it will be Simeone and his boys who will be sitting by the television set next Friday to see whether their next opponents will be Chelsea, Bayern Munich or the team from just up the road.