Atletico Madrid Carves Out Champions League Edge vs Liverpool

The last time Liverpool was at Madrid's Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, it celebrated its 2019 Champions League final triumph over Tottenham. Its return wasn't as joyous.

Saul Niguez's fourth-minute goal was all Atletico Madrid needed, as it saw out a 1-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 encounter on Tuesday.

The runaway Premier League leaders are hoping to do the domestic-European double and repeat as Champions League winners, but they have work to do after running into a quintessential Atletico Madrid performance under Diego Simeone during a season that has been light on them.

Injuries have played a significant role, and so too have attacking deficiencies, with Atleti scoring just 25 goals through 24 matches in La Liga this season. Its defense slowed down Jurgen Klopp's juggernaut in the home leg, though, and the attack did just enough, especially with its bright start.

Atletico Madrid came out aggressively, with left back Renan Lodi pushing forward and firing in a cross that just evaded Alvaro Morata on the doorstep. Atleti earned corner kick, though, and the hosts cashed in. The initial ball fell in the area and squirted free for Saul Niguez, who stabbed home from close range to give Atletico Madrid an early 1-0 lead four minutes in.

Liverpool recovered and appeared to take control of the match, possessing and pressing in the Atletico Madrid half as it has been known to do with regularity. That pressure didn't result into anything to threatening for Atleti goalkeeper Jan Oblak, though, with the hosts–who have become quite comfortable defending 1-0 leads under Simeone–continuing to lead.

Liverpool was fortunate that lead didn't become 2-0 in the 26th minute, when a wayward ball in the back by Virgil van Dijk allowed Alvaro Morata the chance to fire from close range at a left-sided angle. Alisson made the save, though, to keep the deficit at 1-0.

It nearly came 1-1 on the ensuing sequence, when a gaffe by Oblak gifted Mohamed Salah a free chance in the back. He elected to play a combination with an offside Roberto Firmino, though, instead of just driving straight toward goal, nullifying his score.

Salah had another chance from the center of the box in the 36th minute, appearing to have a clear look at goal, only to have a last-ditch block prevent his shot from reaching the target.

Salah had another opportunity to pull Liverpool level at the start of the second half, with his header just missing the mark in the 52nd minute as the visitors pushed hard for an away goal.

Liverpool could never find the breakthrough, with Atletico Madrid turning in a classic resolute defending performance–yielding chances and possession, but never anything too threatening.

**********

Here were the lineups for both sides:

The second leg will take place March 11 at Anfield in Liverpool.