00:00This is when it really gets tense.
00:03Only four teams remain in the biggest club competition in the world
00:06and we're not far away from kick-off in the first leg.
00:13Let it go Madrid.
00:15They face Arsenal live right here on EA TV.
00:20A terrific venue and an exciting night in prospect
00:23here in the Spanish capital at the Estadio Metropolitano.
00:27I'm Derek Ray at the microphone.
00:30And joining me for match commentary is Stuart Robson.
00:32And we're getting down to the wire in the UEFA Champions League.
00:36Tonight, the first leg of the semi-final coming right up.
00:40It's Atletico Madrid up against Arsenal.
00:42They don't come much bigger than this, do they?
00:45This will be a top-quality game between two of the best sides in Europe.
00:48Let's hope it lives up to its billing.
00:56Let's go.
01:25CHOIR SINGS
01:35This is the starting line-up for Atletico.
01:38The 4-4-2 system relies on good combinations all over the pitch.
01:42The front two, the central midfield pairing, the full-back and winger and of course the centre-backs.
01:47If you can get these combinations right, you'll have a good team.
02:14CHOIR SINGS
02:21Here are the starters for Arsenal.
02:25William Saliba starts alongside Gabriel in central defence and rather than use a strike partnership, they've gone with just the
02:32one player in attack.
02:38CHOIR SINGS
02:50Potentially one to Sabre. Arsenal get this game underway.
02:58Gabriel.
03:07Declan Reus.
03:11It's with Gabriel.
03:13Ezi.
03:17Christian Nurgard.
03:20Cross blocked.
03:23And behind for a corner.
03:36He's driven in the corner.
03:39Oh, a brilliant save.
03:41Did so well to keep that away from trouble.
03:47Well, trying to probe but not succeeding.
03:50Well, both teams have been guilty of poor passing.
03:58Marcos Llorenci.
04:11Guzman.
04:12Yes, man.
04:16Good-looking move, this.
04:19but no damage done
04:21that's the main thing
04:26Gabriel Martinelli
04:33out of play
04:35and an Arsenal throw-in forthcoming
04:41so many qualities to admire
04:43as regards Antoine Griezmann
04:45what do you expect to see from him
04:47today? Well he's such a creative player
04:49both with his passing and his ability
04:51to beat defenders, he'll have a big
04:53influence today
05:04and given away by Atletico
05:06a good vision there
05:21a bloody sloppy in possession here
05:25Jason looking pass
05:44Nico González
05:48now Griezmann
05:52and there to intervene
05:57delightful pass
06:02met it cleanly but unable to steer it away from the goalkeeper
06:16he's showing a real will
06:19to win the ball
06:20nice looking pass
06:23Chance to finish
06:25Oh, disappointing
06:26Just when it looked like a surefire opener
06:29Well, that should have been the opener, Derek
06:31I'm not sure how he's missed that
06:45Okay
06:52Yes, man
06:54Well, that's how to keep the opposition at bay
07:04Okay
07:14Marcos Llorente
07:18Lenormand
07:20And on to González
07:27González
07:34Moving the ball more than decently
07:36But can they take the lead
07:38They're trying to take their time
07:40But not enough care on the ball
07:46Esi
07:52Gabriel Martinelli
08:21Gonzalez with it
08:26And Sloppy in possession from Atletico
08:33In Gapier
08:36And support available
08:38Productive pass
08:42And there it is
08:44The first goal of the semi-final
08:46A huge moment
08:48Extraordinary scenes
09:13One-nil then
09:21Alvarez
09:27Alvarez
09:28Marco Llorente has it
09:32Here's Alvarez
09:35Excellent
09:36Run in possession
09:39Atletico get the free-kick decision
09:41Their way
09:45It was an accurate free-kick
09:47But a fine save
09:53Noni Madueke
09:56And a clever piece of defending
09:57And a clever piece of defending
10:02Good situation for Griezmann
10:05This could be the equaliser
10:08Well they looked at the penalty
10:09And they've got one
10:34Chance to even things up here
10:37Chance to even things up here
10:37And there's the leveler
10:38What a riveting semi-final this is
10:41And the hopes which were dwindling
10:44Have just received a massive boost for that goal
10:49Well here we can see it again
10:50People have gone the wrong way
10:52And it makes it a fairly easy finish in the end
10:54That's how to take a spot kick
10:58Well that picture says it all
11:00His team are back in the game now
11:05So back underway
11:06One goal apiece here
11:11Gabriele Martinelli
11:23Interception to snuff out the danger
11:30Now options are plenty
11:32That's a good looking ball
11:35Opportunity
11:36And it's in
11:37They're back in front
11:39Stunning scenes here
11:52Well as you can see
11:53He gave the keeper no chance there
11:55He looked so confident didn't he
11:56That's a cool finish
12:11So on they go again
12:13A wake-up call for Atletico
12:15And they find a response here
12:17The first half story has been told then
12:19Here at the Estadio Metropolitano
12:23Well he's been the standout for his side so far
12:26Don't you think Stuart?
12:28Yes he'll be pleased with his first half display
12:29His movement was good
12:31As was his passing
12:32And of course he took his goal well
12:34Just needs to continue that form into the second half
12:42Enter the second half then
12:44And it's going to be fascinating to see
12:46Whether or not Atletico can turn this game on its head
12:52Lenormand
12:54Nico González
13:06Here's Alvarez
13:08Griezmann
13:10Well it looked highly promising
13:11But they got nothing out of it
13:16Distribution
13:19Oh chance
13:20Oh and it goes
13:23And that is simply vivacious on the volley
13:26Take a bow
13:28Take several bows
13:29The degree of difficulty was high
13:32But you wouldn't know it
13:33What a skill to possess
13:35Absolutely marvellous
13:53So back underway
13:543-1 the score
14:00Nicolás González
14:06Lenormand
14:08Nico González
14:11And given away by Atletico
14:17Thoughtful play
14:21This is an excellent run
14:24And tidy defensive play
14:26That was really good defending
14:46González
14:46González
14:48Well now they have possession
14:57Marcos Llorente
15:03Marcos Llorente
15:04An alert intervention
15:18Koke
15:20Here's Alvarez
15:25Intercepting it intelligently
15:30Riesmann
15:31Chances on
15:33And there is the goal
15:35Wow that changes the equation
15:37And they have the momentum now
15:43Well just look at how poor the defending is here
15:46But I have to say
15:47It's still a very tight finish
15:48He's really assured there
16:00So the action continues
16:01Can Atletico push for a leveller here?
16:05Madueke
16:10Very effective passing sequence
16:17Evidence
16:17Evidence of risk there
16:18But he's won the ball
16:25Yes man
16:27González
16:31Letico might be able to cash in here
16:35And the cross goes in
16:40Well it comes to nothing in the end
16:46Arsenal being afforded too much room
16:49And it's played into the centre
16:52And this is the kind of save
16:53Every goalkeeper would expect to make
17:07Oh this is looking promising
17:09Nice looking pass
17:16Well hit with power
17:17And almost the right precision
17:20It is an Atletico substitution
17:36Dangerous ball
17:40Taking care of business defensively here
17:45And into the last 20 minutes
17:48Well the Atletico fans are really getting behind the team here
17:51But will it be enough?
17:53What a finish we're going to get to this game
17:58Yes man
18:06A lot of momentum to this Atletico attack
18:12Takes the shot
18:13Looking to double his tally
18:15But denied on this occasion
18:17Yeah you're right
18:18He could have had another one there
18:19He's playing well
18:20No doubt about that
18:22Tremendous challenge
18:28He made good progress there
18:32Could cross it in here
18:35Quite miscue in the final third
18:51That's a lovely ball
18:55This could be the equaliser
18:57And you've got to credit
18:59That magnificent piece of defending
19:01Yeah that's a great intervention there
19:08Ezzi
19:11And Arsenal now find themselves in potentially a dangerous position
19:15But they had a decent reading of that ball in
19:23Well that attack collapsed completely
19:28Must remain calm
19:30Well this game is far from over
19:32Will Atletico get another big chance before the end?
19:35The crowd certainly think so
19:36Just listen to that noise
19:41Well still pushing forward
19:43It's a matter of whether or not they can come up with an equaliser
19:47And here's a change now for Atletico
19:55Superbly read and executed
20:01Ezzi
20:07And he could really get at the opposition
20:17We've seen tidier challengers than that one
20:24And was always likely to see yellow
20:27Yeah right decision
20:28That was a poor tackle
20:42Nice looking move this
20:44Long way out
20:45A piece of goalkeeping
20:48You're going to see again and again and again
20:54Short corner favoured
20:57Delivered into the area here
21:01No defensive Brazilians there
21:09Two minutes of stoppage time coming up
21:14And Atletico Madrid know they're not going to get too many more chances
21:18Time is a factor
21:21He read the situation defensively
21:23And did his job
21:25Excellent block
21:27Well that's how to defend in those situations
21:29There's the final whistle
21:31And Arsenal with the advantage
21:33Going into the second leg of this tie
21:35Yeah that was a tight game
21:37And I think they just about deserve their lead
21:39But it's a slender one
21:40And they'll certainly need to defend well in the second leg
21:42If they're to reach the final
21:48No two ways about it
21:49He really has brought his influence to bear
21:51On the proceedings
21:53Well I have to say
21:54That was impressive
21:55Not just his goals
21:56But his all round play
21:57He was excellent
22:14In the means
Comments