UCL: Atletico take lead against Bayer as Man City beat Monaco​

Spanish giants Atletico Madrid scored four away goals at the BayArena to take charge of their Champions League last-16 tie against German side, Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night.

Goals from Saul Niguez, Antoine Griezmann left the home team to go in at the break with two goals behind, as the La Liga side dominated the first half. But early in the second half, Karim Bellarabi pulled one back for Leverkusen by finishing off a slick team move.

But 10 minutes late, Gameiro’s penalty restored Atletico’s two-goal advantage, before Stefan Savic’s own goal reduced arrears once again.

Substitute Fernando Torres further strengthened Atletico’s grip on the tie when he nodded in a late fourth, to put the scoreline at 4-2.

Read Also: FA Cup: Walcott scores 100th goal as Arsenal set up Q/final with Lincoln

In the other last-16 tie on Tuesday, English Premier League side, Manchester City, came twice from behind to beat French side, Monaco, in a thrilling encounter at the Etihad Stadium.

The game which ended 5-3 marks the first time eight goals have been scored in the first leg of a Champions League knockout game, and with 10 yellow cards handed out, it’s the most in a Champions League game this season.

City got ahead in the 26th minute when Raheem Sterling opened the scoring, before ex-Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao headed in an equaliser at 32.

The goals continued pouring in as Kylian Mbappe, Sergio Aguero, John Stones and Leroy Sane all found the back of the net for their respective sides.

“I am so happy for the result, we are still alive. These kind of things help this club to achieve another step. We attacked in small spaces. That’s why they wanted me to come here, Everybody has to be congratulated,” City Boss Pep Guardiola said in a post-match conference.

“We are going to fly to Monaco to score as many goals as possible. If we don’t score in Monaco we will be eliminated.”

As it stands, the return leg for Atletico-Bayer tie will take place at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday, 15 March, while City will travel to Monaco on the same day.

 

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