Atletico Madrid have taken one step towards the final of the Champions League courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg of their semi-final at the Vicente Calderon this evening.
Saul Niguez got the only goal of the game after just 11 minutes before the hosts frustrated the five-time European champions to gain the advantage ahead of next week's second leg at the Allianz Arena.
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Atletico made a bright start in front of a raucous home crowd as Bayern struggled to come to terms with the atmosphere in the opening stages, and Manuel Neuer was forced into a couple of early saves to keep out Saul and Fernando Torres.
The early pressure yielded a goal after just 11 minutes, and it came from a piece of magic from Saul as he skipped past three players on his way into the box before applying the finishing touch to a fine solo effort by curling a shot in off the post.
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Bayern looked to come up with an immediate response and threatened for the first time just a minute later when Arturo Vidal's looping header almost dropped in at the back post, but Jose Gimenez was there to nod the ball over his own crossbar.
The visitors began to see more of the ball after the Atletico opener, and David Alaba fired a powerful strike off target before Douglas Costa almost caught Jan Oblak out by going for goal with a free kick on the right touchline, only to see it hit the side-netting.
Atleti were surrendering the vast majority of the possession, but almost caught Bayern out on the counter-attack when a Torres flick-on found Antoine Griezmann, who advanced into the area before being kept out by Neuer at the near post.
Despite enjoying more than 70% of the ball in the first half, Bayern were largely limited to long-range efforts, although that avenue did see them come within inches of levelling things up 10 minutes into the second half when Alaba launched a 35-yard thunderbolt that smashed off the crossbar.
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The visitors came close again moments later as their pressure began to build, with Javi Martinez rising unmarked from a corner to plant a downward header towards goal that Oblak got down well to save.
Pep Guardiola's side were camped inside the Atletico half for most of the second period, but the hosts continued to deal with the pressure admirably.
Bayern did get in behind with just under 20 minutes remaining, only for Costa to lift an attempted lob onto the roof of the net, while Oblak made a flying save to push away Vidal's powerful strike shortly afterwards.
Atletico were inches away from a crucial second goal when Griezmann brought the ball forward on the break before giving it to Torres, who cut inside his man and sent an effort against the upright. The rebound bounced out to Koke, but he couldn't finish when also well placed.
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There was another shooting chance for Alaba 10 minutes from the end, but he didn't catch it right and fired the ball over the crossbar as Bayern's frustrations continued to grow.
There were still chances for the visitors in stoppage time as both Mehdi Benatia and Vidal failed to connect properly with openings in quick succession, but Atletico held out to gain the advantage heading into Tuesday's second leg in Munich.
Barney Corkhill
