Atletico Madrid and Barcelona performed out an exhilarating 4-Four draw within the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Tuesday in Barcelona.
Atletico Madrid began strongly, scoring twice within the opening six minutes by way of Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann.
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Barcelona responded with a formidable efficiency, with Pedri Gonzalez scoring first, adopted by targets from Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, and Robert Lewandowski.
Marcos Llorente scored for Atletico earlier than Alexander Sorloth’s 93rd-minute strike equalised the match, establishing an intriguing second leg on the Metropolitano stadium on April 2.
“It is a horrible consequence once you go 4-2 up… it’s important to be extra cautious, these are issues we’ve got to be taught. As we speak we began badly however I will concentrate on how the crew reacted. Once we received in entrance we’ve got to be calmer… it will likely be a tough (second leg) however we are going to go there to attempt to win,” Pedri advised Movistar.
“We had an unlimited aggressive spirit. The adjustments freshened up the crew, it wasn’t a simple sport to play, and I like the spirit the lads confirmed… The crew started to really feel extra snug because the minutes handed,” mentioned the Atletico coach.
Barcelona supervisor Hansi Flick benched high scorer Lewandowski, with Ferran Torres beginning as a false 9.
Atletico Madrid’s coach Simeone fielded a robust lineup regardless of going through a difficult schedule, together with upcoming matches towards Barcelona and a Champions League final 16 tie with Actual Madrid.
Alvarez scored within the first minute after connecting with Griezmann’s deflected cross on the again publish.
Griezmann prolonged the lead within the sixth minute, capitalising on Jules Kounde’s error and receiving a exact move from Alvarez.
Barcelona dominated the rest of the primary half after Atletico’s early targets.
Ferran Torres missed a chance to attain when his weak shot was saved by Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso.
Barcelona levelled the rating with two fast targets, as Kounde assisted Pedri earlier than Cubarsi scored from a nook.
Torres missed one other likelihood after rounding Musso however did not convert beneath strain from Clement Lenglet.
The second half started with Szczesny saving Griezmann’s try, whereas Barcelona maintained management.
Sorloth had a aim disallowed for offside, however Barcelona prolonged their lead by way of Lewandowski, who completed an excellent run by Lamine Yamal.
Llorente’s 84th-minute strike and Sorloth’s late aim from Samuel Lino’s help accomplished the dramatic comeback for Atletico.
“It was loopy, a whole lot of targets,” Atletico’s Alvarez mentioned in regards to the match.
“We’re actually dissatisfied in regards to the consequence however the sport we performed right this moment was actually nice, I focus extra on this. We now have to discuss the targets, it was perhaps too simple (for Atletico), however we performed towards a implausible crew… we dominated for 75 to 80 minutes,” Flick advised reporters.
Actual Madrid will face Actual Sociedad within the different semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
