New Delhi: The match between Real Madrid and Atalanta ended with 1-0 in the first leg of last-16 in UEFA Champions League. Madrid had to wait for Ferland Mendy’s excellent 86th-minute goal to break the deadlock and dash the hopes of their hosts, who played more than 70 minutes with 10 men following controversial red card against Remo Freuler. Freuler blocked a clear way for Ferland Mendy on the edge of penalty area in the 17th minute.
The card changed the complexion of the game. Atalanta sat back and entered damage limitation mode for the entire match, a far cry from its usual attacking style.
This also gave Real the chance to be at the front foot for the remainder of the match. Whole game looked like a training session of attack vs. defence, with Atalanta rarely escaping its own penalty area.
Though Zidane’s side was dominating possession, Atalanta’s resolute defending meant a goal was not that east to score. Isco, Luka Modric and Vinicius all had glimpses of goal, but failed to test Atalanta goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini.
It took until the 86th minute for Real to find the breakthrough and it took something quite special too. It was left back Ferland Mendy who was the unlikely hero. He picked up the ball on the edge of the box and curled a brilliant strike into the far corner to give Madrid a narrow lead against a 10-men Atalanta.
Atalanta will no doubt be disappointed by conceding that late goal, but they can find some consolation before going into the second leg with a realistic chance of turning the tie around as they won’t have to play with 10-men again.
