Atlético Madrid vs. Leicester: Final score 1-0, Controversial Griezmann penalty gives Atléti the advantage

Atlético Madrid took a step towards the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday, defeating Leicester City, 1-0, at the Vicente Calderón in the first leg of their quarterfinal meet. Antoine Griezmann scored the only goal of a tight game from the penalty spot in the first half, though replays appeared to show Marc Albrighton committing the foul in question outside the box.

Atléti were in the ascendancy from the game’s opening exchanges, though Diego Simeone’s men initially struggled to convert possession into chances. Shots rained down on Kasper Schmeichel’s goal, though almost all from distance. The only real scare for the Foxes came when Koke’s long-range drive cracked against the woodwork, Leicester’s defensive shield having prevented the hosts from creating any opportunities closer in.

Indeed, through the game’s first quarter, Leicester gave about as much as they got: Jamie Vardy and Albrighton both delivered dangerous crosses into the Atléti box, though they were adequately defended by the Spanish side.

It wasn’t until just short of the half-hour when Atléti took the lead — and it wasn’t the result of any great attacking ingenuity. Instead it came on the counter-attack, with Griezmann surging down the left before being bundled over on the edge of the penalty area by Albrighton. The referee — somewhat controversially — pointed to the spot, and the Frenchman stepped up to convert himself.

Atléti continued with the lion’s share of possession, though Leicester’s defense held firm in spite of the penalty blow. Coach Craig Shakespeare looked to beef up his side’s midfield at halftime, introducing Andy King for the ineffective Shinji Okazaki.

It paid dividends, with the visitors seeing much more of the ball after the restart. However, they too failed to create any real opportunities, and only a late slip prevented Fernando Torres from doubling Atléti’s lead on the break on the hour. Griezmann carved out another chance in the final 20 minutes, though his inviting cross was just too far in front of Joaquín Correa for the Argentine to convert.

The hosts continued to crank up the pressure, but the final whistle came before they could add a second.

Atlético Madrid: Jan Oblak; Filipe Luís, Diego Godín, Stefan Savić, Juanfran; Koke, Saúl Ñíguez, Gabi, Yannick Carrasco (Joaquín Correa 65’); Antoine Griezmann, Fernando Torres (Thomas Partey 75’).

Goals: Griezmann (pen. 28’).

Leicester City: Kasper Schmeichel; Christian Fuchs, Robert Huth, Yohan Benalouane, Danny Simpson; Marc Albrighton, Wilfred Ndidi, Danny Drinkwater, Riyad Mahrez; Shinji Okazaki (Andy King 46’); Jamie Vardy (Islam Slimani 77’).

Goals: None.

1. Leicester coped admirably with Atléti’s pressure

Though Leicester will certainly be disappointed to have not mustered an away goal at the Calderón, they can be very content with their evening’s work. Defensive organization would surely have been even more difficult in the absence of injured captain Wes Morgan, though Yohan Benalouane coped admirably while deputizing, and Craig Shakespeare’s side showed the kind of discipline that earned them the league title last season. That Atléti had to resort to so many long-range efforts is testament to the Foxes’ defensive play, and they’re still in with a chance of causing an upset at home next week.

2. Atléti struck lucky on the penalty call

Atléti will certainly be counting their blessings looking at the replay for the first half penalty call. Though Antoine Griezmann was certainly body-checked by Marc Albrighton, the incident appeared to occur outside the box — a free-kick, rather than spot-kick, would probably have been the right decision.

3. ... but remain in the perfect position

Though Atléti didn’t appear to be all that much better on the evening, they’re in the perfect position heading into the second leg at the King Power Stadium. If there’s one thing this game — and the build-up to Atléti’s goal in particular — demonstrated, it’s that Simeone’s men are still much more dangerous when they’re given room to counter into. Their advantage means Leicester are going to have to attack in the second leg — something the likes of Griezmann and Yannick Carrasco will surely relish on the break. Leicester are still in with a chance, but it’s a slender one.