Atletico Madrid secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal clash. Coach Diego Simeone commended his team's performance but expressed regret over missed opportunities that could have given them a more significant advantage in the tie.
The match saw Atletico dominate early on, with Rodrigo de Paul opening the scoring in the fourth minute and Samuel Lino doubling the lead before the half-hour mark. Despite several chances to extend their lead, Atletico allowed Dortmund to pull one back through Sebastian Haller late in the game, setting up an intriguing second leg in Germany.
Simeone acknowledged the competitive nature of the quarterfinal ties, citing the closely contested matchups between other top clubs in the competition. He highlighted the need for his team to capitalize on their chances and maintain focus throughout the full duration of the game.
The coach also offered support for striker Álvaro Morata, who has struggled to find the back of the net in recent months after a strong start to the season. Simeone expressed confidence in Morata's work ethic and belief that the goals will come as he continues to put in the effort.
Star forward Antoine Griezmann, who received treatment for an ankle issue post-match, reassured fans of his availability for Atletico's upcoming LaLiga fixture against Girona. Griezmann emphasized the importance of the victory in the Champions League and the team's focus on progressing to the semifinals.
If Atletico advances past Dortmund, they could potentially face the winner of the Paris Saint-Germain vs. Barcelona tie in the next round. Griezmann acknowledged the significance of a potential matchup against his former club but stressed the team's primary goal of reaching the semifinals.
With the tie delicately poised, Atletico will look to build on their first-leg advantage and secure a spot in the next stage of the Champions League, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the quarterfinals.
