MADRID, April 28: A sensational solo effort from Saul Niguez handed Atletico Madrid a precious 1-0 advantage over Bayern Munich from the first leg of their Champions League semifinal at the Vicente Calderon yesterday. The Spanish under-21 international skipped past four Bayern players before firing into the far corner to give Atletico the perfect start after 11 minutes.
Bayern dominated for long spells thereafter, but the closest they came to a vital away goal was a thunderous long-range effort from David Alaba that came back off the crossbar. Atletico will travel to Bavaria for the return leg on Tuesday looking to complete the job to reach their second final in three years and exact revenge for their defeat to Bayern in the 1974 final. Bayern lost the first legs of their semifinals in Spain in the previous two seasons to Real Madrid and Barcelona on their way out of the competition. And they couldn�t have made a worse start once more in the Spanish capital as, roared on by a vociferous support, Atletico flew out of the blocks early on. Niguez had already had a long-range effort saved by Manuel Neuer before he opened the scoring in stunning style. The 21-year-old picked the ball up near halfway and skipped past four half-hearted Bayern challenges before curling a left-footed shot in off the inside of the far post.
Atletico nearly gifted Bayern an equaliser immediately as Jose Maria Gimenez�s miscued clearance pinballed around the area before the Uruguayan atoned for his initial error by clearing off the line. Bayern were dominant in possession, but struggled to create clear-cut chances against an Atletico side that now hasn�t conceded at home in their last seven Champions League knockout ties.
Alaba shot wide from distance, while Douglas Costa�s free-kick nearly caught out Jan Oblak at his near post. Yet, it was Atletico who squandered a big chance to make it 2-0 before the break when Antoine Griezmann�s shot from a narrow angle was turned behind by Neuer. Bayern were completely dominant after the break as Atletico tired and dropped deeper towards their own goal. � Agencies
