Bayern wins and dominates a timid Atlético that wanted to and couldn't

It was going to be a big night. One of celebration, one of those that is a pleasure to see live. But in just one week, the misfortunes have made our hearts shrink in Spain. To the point that the Metropolitan's minute of silence before Atlético-Bayern had up to four recipients, among whom were clearly the victims of the Urda train accident. The most recent, however, was the death of the footballer Jesús De Miguel, which even caused UEFA, an establishment that is not always very empathetic, to suspend the playing of its anthem in stadiums. [Narrative and statistics, 0-2]

Thus, football was the least important thing on this European night, despite the fact that this was the star duel in Atlético's European calendar, the one with the most luster and in which it needed the points after arriving with four in three duels. They couldn't get there because this Bayern has many names and also boasts a good team. They didn't need the best performance from their Ballon d'Or or from Olise.

Atlético wanted to surprise with initial fuss. And Julián even warned Neuer with a weak shot, but Bayern responded like the bogeyman they are supposed to in Europe. With extremely high pressure and patience inherited from the Guardiola era, the Germans began a monologue supported by the touch of Bischof and Kimmich. They surrounded Oblak's goal with Davies, Karl and Olise in a continuous exchange of positions to the misfortune of the new Le Normand in the axis of the defense.

The French winger deserves a separate chapter, of course. For a chronicle and for the Atlético footballers, who arrested him for civil and criminal reasons. Some gestures by Baena and Grimaldo against him were somewhat intemperate. Preventive attacks in the area of ​​control of a territory. However, whether outside or inside, with passes or drives, the presence of the winger, doubtful until the last minute, was a headache. The coach said in the preview that he would like to attack for 80 minutes and leave 10 for the Germans. Given the first half hour, it was better to sign otherwise.

Saúl told this newspaper that in those 2016 semifinals against Bayern, they were 80 meters from the goal when they recovered the ball. At times, the feeling was similar, to the point that Julián saw Neuer ahead and tried to score from 60 meters. Sparks in the first half that Sorloth could turn into a fire if he coordinated his big body better after a good center from Giuliano. Against all odds, more so from the German side, the duel went 0-0 at halftime.

It seemed that the red and white team tempered the German energy a little when they returned from the bench when Le Normand did something unprecedented for a defender in his own area, which was to turn towards his goalkeeper. Karl stole it and beat a dislocated Oblak and made the duel uphill for Cholo's interests, who wanted to react with an instant triple change. Koke, Lookman and Kang-In entered to attempt the comeback.

Wanting and not being able

The hat trick generated the desired effect and gave energy to an Atlético team that was too timid in its fiefdom. Something strange. The Metropolitano is a fortress in Spain and Europe. But this Bayern didn't feel uncomfortable going on the counter either. The Germans were waiting for the Ballon d'Or to appear, which was somewhat gray during the match but, in the absence of goals, a pass was invented for Laimer to double the German advantage.