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
-
Residents of Brekusu-Kwabenya-Kitase protest over deplorable roads
1 minute -
Genser Energy secures 456m euros to accelerate next phase of growth across West Africa
6 minutes -
COKA visits Kokofu after Ashanti NPP win, calls for unity ahead of 2028
10 minutes -
Bono East crowns Kintampo SHS, Gyarko Community Day SHS for national public speaking finals
29 minutes -
GRIDCo completes initial repair works on Ashaiman transmission line
38 minutes -
Egyapa Mercer donates hairdryers to graduating hairdressers in Sekondi
44 minutes -
Health Ministry hands over 30 ambulances to National Security for refurbishment
48 minutes -
Republic Bank deepens commitment to homeownership with nationwide JoyNews Habitat Fair partnership
54 minutes -
Archbishop Duncan-Williams links galamsey to Ghana’s wider culture of indiscipline
56 minutes -
India’s clean energy leadership in green hydrogen
1 hour -
Ghana’s Road Safety Crisis: We must move from reaction to prevention
1 hour -
Duncan-Williams urges Church to educate Ghanaians on dangers of galamsey and gold smuggling
1 hour -
New Defence Minister pledges technology-led defence posture
1 hour -
India and Africa: Relations beyond rhetorics
1 hour -
Top Zambian opposition figures arrested days after presidential vote
1 hour