Juventus left the Spanish capital licking their wounds after suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid, and it was a night when the spirit of the former Vicente Calderon filled the new stadium that Los Rojiblancos play in: the Wanda Metropolitano.
Newly constructed stadiums are often criticised for being more like amphitheatres than historic sporting stadiums, yet Atletico's new home was given its first historic European night on Wednesday.
The Champions League has turned into an obsession for Los Colchoneros, partly due to the heartbreak they have suffered in previous finals, but mostly due to the fact the 2019 final will be hosted in their own ground.
As such, the atmosphere created by supporters befits the occasion when the Champions League comes to town, far more than on LaLiga Santander matchdays.
Fans set the scene prior to kick-off on Wednesday with flares, chants and banners, with this carrying over into the match itself.
Even after being deflated by VAR changing an awarded penalty to a free-kick, in addition to ruling out Alvaro Morata's bullet header, the supporters kept their voice and pushed their team to a two-goal advantage by the close of play.
The whistling of the Champions League anthem seemed to catch the Bianconeri by surprise, albeit the Italians are no strangers to battling with footballing governance.
As the sense of injustice increased after the VAR decisions, although they were both correct, Atletico's fans only increased their audible efforts, something that Morata felt.
"We knew that it was time to go for the game; we noticed that feeling in the whole stadium," he explained in the mixed zone.
"We went for it and got a good result.
"However, we have to do even better in Turin."
Diego Simeone's team plays in such an energetic manner that it's expected they will hit the physical wall at some point in the match and this brought a few concerns that there could be another late Cristiano Ronaldo masterclass once Atletico's pressing became less intense.
However, the fans did not relent and the players didn't feel the fatigue that was anticipated; they were able to retain their intensity for the full 90 minutes. What was felt so many times on the banks of the Manzanares River was finally experienced in the neighbourhood of San Blas, and it will only continue with every round.
AshtonLima
0
atletico would have won 4:0.ronaldo my foot go and win lowly regarded serie A.big competition for big players
we will see
Dmadis772
0
what come back they are not even trailing a single goal,they will move forward in the competition if they score 1 and not allow lyon to come close near goal Messi with sarcastic smile will be like are these guys serious or joking
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He means in 2013, the first team to comeback from a 2 goal deficit EVER was us. 2017 again, this time 4 goals down. If Juve come back they’d be only the third team ever lmao
Dmadis772
0
And Seriously ? U give Atletico a 2-0 Lead and Even think of a comeback it's like Going Inside the Black hole by expecting to come back from it. Simeone Gonna Park a whole planet in Turin
Seriously 😂 people forget that before Barcelona in 2013 NO TEAM had ever overcome a 2 goal deficit in the knockout rounds so good luck Juve, you’ll need it
Jihilprt
0
atletico would have won 4:0.ronaldo my foot go and win lowly regarded serie A.big competition for big players
losdilmnu
0
If Atletico make it to the next stage which it seems like they might, but never count any team of the Champions League, and make it to the final, with their home crowd they have every advantage to win the title this year.
siheiknprs
1
Don't forget what happened in Dortmund.
siheiknprs
1
Get over it. An overturn beckons at Turin. You were a spirited team last night on home soil. A lot can go wrong in 20 days from now. Enjoy it while it lasts. Write off Juventus at your own peril cause I will return to this post in the aftermath of the second leg regardless.
Lionaire
6
And Seriously ? U give Atletico a 2-0 Lead and Even think of a comeback it's like Going Inside the Black hole by expecting to come back from it. Simeone Gonna Park a whole planet in Turin
mazinmalek
2
i bet allegri was counting on madrid players to get tired by 70-75 minutes where the gegenpress would stop and juve could play their own game. but hats off to ATM players, they never looked tired. would be interesting to see what tactics simeone deploys in return leg. If continues to press and get that away goal or wait for the counter as they did against bayern few years ago.
Madrista_forever
0
Barcelona still remains the king of comeback
what come back they are not even trailing a single goal,they will move forward in the competition if they score 1 and not allow lyon to come close near goal Messi with sarcastic smile will be like are these guys serious or joking
josaklrt
4
who else realized Juventus are out
Godwinwhizee77
1
Barcelona still remains the king of comeback