Julián Álvarez double seals 2-1 win for 10-man AtlétiBologna 2-1 Dortmund, Red Star 2-3 PSV Eindhoven Atlético Madrid fought back from a goal and a man down to rescue a dramatic 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday. The hosts played more than an hour with a 10 men after midfielder Pablo Barrios was shown a straight red card for a reckless studs-up tackle from behind on Jeremie Frimpong in the 24th minute. Jan Oblak made a string of saves but the Germans broke the deadlock just before the break with a headed goal by Piero Hincapié. Continue reading...

They were 95 minutes into the battle that been built as the clash that would decide the title, the final seconds slipping away, when a man who looks for all the world like a norse warrior delivered the decisive blow. Atlético Madrid had suffered, they had resisted and, in truth, they had probably longed for that final whistle to go, and then suddenly Alex Sørloth thumped in another late winner. In doing so he sent Atlético Madrid top the table at Christmas and their coach, staff and subs sprinting onto the pitch. Barcelona’s fans meanwhile turned and headed straight for the exit, unable to believe what had just happened. What had happened was this: on a night when they had more than enough chances to win it, including deep into added time, in which Jan Oblak, the goalkeeper had been the best player on the pitch, with Pedri, they had somehow been beaten. It is the first time they have ever fallen at the hands of a Diego Simeone led Atlético team and it hurt. Continue reading...