UEFA CL Semis: Arsenal gets meaningful away draw in Madrid
It wasn’t the show of the great evenings at the Civitas Metropolitano for the second Champions League semi-final. Arsenal and Atletico Madrid neutralized each other (1-1) with goals only on penalty in an interesting but far from exciting game. Here are the tops and flops from Sport News Africa.
Philemon MBALE · Author profile ·
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Tops
David Raya: The Spanish goalkeeper was decisive several times for the Gunners. David Raya reassured us with his sorties, whether in the air or on the ground. Raya kept the Colchoneros equaliser for a long time with three decisive saves before giving up on the penalty by Julian Alvarez (56').
Julian Alvarez: He was probably the best player at Atletico Madrid tonight. Julian Alvarez started his match very strong, with a first strike in the 14th minute of play, taken out by David Raya. The Argentinian world champion then followed up with a header just before the half-hour mark (29th), but he was far too disconnected to find the right frame. It’s in the 56th minute that he will be rewarded with the equaliser penalty.
Griezmann: for his last home Champions League match with Atletico, the Frenchman showed his advantage with 4 shots attempted, but above all an ability to suck up pressure to dictate the tempo of the game. Antoine Griezmann was elected MVP of the match.
Declan Rice: the English midfielder was the master to play for the Gunners in the midfield. With 57% of successful passes in the opposing half, a shot on target and flawless management of high and low times, Declan Rice was up to the event.
Flops
Ben White: the English right back has struggled a lot against the Madrid waves. Facing Lookman or Alvarez, Ben White was not solid and often found himself in a delicate situation, like his penalty conceded with a hand in the area that led to the equalizing penalty for the Colchoneros who will go to London with a hope of qualifying for the final of this Champions League.
David Hancko: The Slovak central defender was in trouble almost all the way through the game. If he often did well after several limited interventions, Hancko was sanctioned at the 79th minute after a foul on Eberechi Eze and was not far from red.
Gabriel Martinelli: the Brazilian was not the twirling winger that Arsenal needed. In 69 minutes of play, Gabriel Martinelli did not have a shot in the frame and disappointed.