
Audio By Carbonatix
Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak produced a heroic performance to repel holders Real Madrid and help secure a 0-0 draw in their Champions League quarterfinal, first leg at the Calderon on Tuesday.
Slovenian Oblak made a string of memorable saves against the team that beat Atletico in last season's final to keep the Spanish champions' hopes of reaching the last four alive ahead of next week's return game at the Bernabeu.
Atletico have had the upper hand over their wealthy neighbours in six derby meetings already this term but Real dominated for long periods in Tuesday's clash and will be furious not to have come away with at least one away goal.
Gareth Bale had probably their best chance as early as the third minute when he ran clear through the centre after a mistake from Diego Godin but Oblak raced out and blocked the Welshman's shot.
Real forced Atletico onto the back foot from the start in the 260th meeting between the city rivals and, after twice denying Bale, Oblak pulled off further saves from Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez.
Atletico's only real chance of the first half fell to Antoine Griezmann but the Frenchman's weak shot was easy for Iker Casillas in the Real goal.
With their fans roaring them on, Atletico saw more of the ball in the second period but Real, chasing a record-extending 11th European crown, again had the clearer chances and the home side were forced into some desperate defence.
Atletico's Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic was in the thick of the action and suffered a head wound after he was caught by a flailing Sergio Ramos arm shortly after halftime but was able to play on after treatment.
Atletico midfielder Mario Suarez and Real defender Marcelo were both booked and will be suspended for the return leg on April 22.
-
Latest Stories
-
Trump-backed political outsider wins Colombia election, initial count shows
19 minutes -
First round of US-Iran talks end with ‘encouraging progress’, mediators say
28 minutes -
Starmer considers political future as pressure to quit mounts
39 minutes -
Sabalenka loses deciding set 6-0 to Pegula in Berlin
5 hours -
The World Cup records that look set to be broken
5 hours -
VAR official who made hand gesture returns to duty
5 hours -
Liverpool reject £21.7m Inter Milan offer for Jones
5 hours -
Ten-man Belgium held by Iran in second World Cup draw
5 hours -
Doku criticised over plan to return home for birth
6 hours -
Lamine Yamal shows why this could be his World Cup
6 hours -
Serena Williams to make singles comeback at Wimbledon
6 hours -
Meloni tells Trump to ‘focus on your own popularity’ as row escalates
6 hours -
World Cup still waits for real Brazil to show up
6 hours -
Mahama jokes about Father’s Day gifts, compares bouquet haul to First Lady’s Mother’s Day surprise
6 hours -
NCPTA backs ban on extravagant school graduations, calls for return to discipline, character building
7 hours