Atletico Madrid 2 – 1 Real Madrid: 4 thoughts after the Champions League semifinals

Real Madrid make it through to the finals of the Champions League after a hard-fought 90 minutes against their city rivals Atletico Madrid. Atletico won 2-1, but Madrid went through on an aggregate scoreline of 4-2. Here’s Alex McVey with four thoughts about the match.

Adios, Vicente Calderón.

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid saw out the final Champions League match and the final Madrid Derby at the Estadio Vicente Calderón. Atleti played their hearts out, but came up short.

It probably won’t come as much of a consolation, but it is still nice that Atleti were able to pull out a win in their final match against Madrid on their home turf. It was always going to be near impossible for Atleti to advance, but they put up a valiant effort, and it was enjoyable to watch it happen.

It was an ugly match, with two yellow cards being dished out in the opening six minutes, a preview of the tackle-heavy affair that was about to happen. It’s honestly amazing that the match ended with 22 players still on the pitch.

The fans at the Calderón really stood behind their team, and it was impressive to see them singing as loudly in the 83^rd minute as they were in the 20^th when Atleti was 2 goals up and the comeback seemed alive.

To add to the drama, a thunderstorm opened up on the Calderón in the closing minutes of the match, as thunder and lightning provided an apt metaphor for the stormy Madrid Derby that had just been witnessed by all.