Madrid Derby to Los Blancos

Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico Madrid - Report

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Casillas 6; Carvajal 6, Pepe 6.5, Varane 6, Coentrao 6; Ramos 6.5, Kroos 8, Isco 7; Rodriguez 7, Hernandez 6, Ronaldo 6

Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Oblak 8; Juanfran 6.5, Miranda 7, Godin 7, Gamez 7; Turan 5, Tiago 6.5, Koke 7, Saul 6 (Gabi 46 6); Griezmann 6.5 (Raul Garcia 65 6), Mandzukic 6

Javier Hernandez’s late winner sends the defending champions into semifinals after a gruelling derby over two legs. This was Hernandez’s first goal in Champions league for around three years.

Real started this derby strongly and were the better side for almost the entire 90 minutes. They dominated possession and created better chances of the two sides. Once again they were poor with their finishing and this kept Atletico in the game.

The visitors actually sprang to life late in the game when they were down to 10 men after Arda Turan was sent off for a lazy challenge on Sergio Ramos in the 76th minute. The red card actually brought life into this highly tactical and boring tie.

The little Mexican finally rose to the occasion and registered his name in Real Madrid folklore with his trademark finish in the 88th minute. This goal eventually settled the tie once and for all. Ronaldo’s underpass was expertly met by a sliding Chicharito who made no mistake in slotting the ball home from 3 yards.

This is Real’s fifth consecutive semis appearance and the will be looking to do what no team has ever done in Champions League era, that is to defend their European crown.