A goal from Bukayo Saka late in the first half took the Gunners to their second final in the competition’s history
O Arsenal qualified for the Champions League final (Champions League) by beating Atlético de Madrid 1-0 this Tuesday (5), in London, after the 1-1 draw in the first leg of the semi-final, last week, in Spain.
One Bukayo Saka goal at the end of the first half (45′) he took the ‘Gunners’ to their second Champions League final in history. In 2006, the London team was runner-up, defeated by Barcelona.
In front of almost 80 thousand people at the Saint-Denis Stadium, in France, he opened the scoring with Campbell in the first half. In the 31st minute of the final phase, Samuel Eto’o equalized and, soon after, the Brazilian Belletti marked the turnaround for the English and Catalan celebrations.
A decision for the current edition is scheduled for May 30that the Puskas Arena, in Budapest, Hungary. Arsenal awaits current champion Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich, who define the other place this Wednesday, in Germany, with the French advantage after 5-4 in the first leg.
Arsenal fans had a huge partywith fireworks before the teams enter the Emirates Stadium pitch. The mosaic sent the message to the Spanish with “over land and sea”, an English expression that means that they follow the team “over land and sea” – in other words, they make a difference. The singing was loud in an intimidating way.
After the 1-1 in Spain, the Gunners really needed the power of their fans against a tough rival and used to playing as a visitor. Only the triumph gave the teams a direct place to pursue their dream of an unprecedented title.
As predicted, Diego Simeone had the recovered Julián Álvarez and Giuliano Simeone, replaced at the Metropolitano in pain, alongside Griezmann in attack. On the other side, Arteta brought a very busy offensive sector, with Trossard, captain Bukayo Saka and Eze replacing Odegaard, Martinelli and Madueke. Only Gyökeres was retained.
Undefeated in the Champions League, Arsenal wanted to be protagonists from the opening whistle. But Simeone “had a plan” and that was to counterattack with speed. Julián Álvarez caused the first scare, sending the ball close to the post. The Argentine also complained about a penalty after a mistake in the area. A more daring and calm Atlético de Madrid could be seen on the field.
It was up to the defender Gabriel Magalhães gets the first “uh” from the English fans. If the offensive plans were ineffective, the long-distance strike almost took the score off. The penalty claim changed sides after Griezmann collided with Trossard.
Arsenal produced little at the front against a good Spanish defense, but took the advantage with their captain, Bukayo Saka, in the 44th minute, taking advantage of Oblak’s rebound after Trossard’s strong strike.
On the way back from the break, Giuliano Simeone received a long throw, dribbled past goalkeeper Raya, but ended up getting in the way of Gabriel Magalhães and ending up missing the chance to equalize with Atlético de Madrid. The VAR also analyzed a possible penalty in the move.
The initial strategies were reversed. Arsenal, until then proposing the game, now had counterattacks in their favor, while Atlético de Madrid no longer defended as well, under the obligation to go on the attack to seek a draw and, consequently, giving space to the English. Gyokeres, in the small area, sent the chance to expand high.
Simeone demanded calm from his team, confident of equality that would take the match to extra time. However, the tranquility of the first half turned to dust after Saka’s goal. And those who were relieved on the field were the English.
O excited Premier League leader erected wall behindhe didn’t take advantage of the high-speed escapes, it’s true, but he knew how to suffer against a modified Atlético de Madrid already without its main players and greatly celebrated the return to the Champions League final.
