Atletico Madrid’s Juanfran celebrates after converting the winning penalty against PSV Eindhoven in Madrid on Tuesday. Atletico won 8-7. (Photo: AFP)
Atletico Madrid’s Juanfran celebrates after converting the winning penalty against PSV Eindhoven in Madrid on Tuesday. Atletico won 8-7. (Photo: AFP)
Injuries to centre-backs Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi overshadowed proceedings as Manchester City reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time after drawing 0-0 with Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.
Leading 3-1 from last month’s away leg, Manuel Pellegrini’s side completed the job in forgettable fashion, with Jesus Navas’s shot against the post for City the nearest either side came to breaking the deadlock.
But first-half injuries to captain Kompany and Otamendi cast a pall over the evening at a hushed Etihad Stadium, leaving City vulnerable in defence ahead of Sunday’s derby with Manchester United in the Premier League.
“It is a very important achievement for the club. This is a club that is growing and continuing to develop as a big club,” said Pellegrini.
“Vincent unfortunately has another muscular injury in his calf, which he has had before. We’ll know tomorrow (Wednesday) or after tomorrow how serious it is. Usually with muscular injuries, minimum a month.
“Otamendi has an important kick and can hopefully recover in the next couple of days.”
While progress in the Champions League represents a historic achievement for Pellegrini, who will hand over to Pep Guardiola at the season’s end, the injuries could have a costly impact on City’s attempt to resurrect their domestic title challenge.
The League Cup winners have fallen 12 points below leaders Leicester City, although they retain a game in hand, and face challenges from both United and in-form West Ham United for their top-four place.
Atletico in quarters Juanfran’s winning penalty sent Atletico Madrid into the quarter-finals, clinching an agonising 8-7 penalty shoot-out win over PSV Eindhoven after neither side could manage a goal in 210 minutes across the two legs of the tie.
The first 14 spot-kicks of the shootout were then converted in clinical fashion before PSV’s Luciano Narsingh smashed his effort against the bar.
Juanfran then stepped up to convert the winning penalty and keep Atletico’s hopes of a first ever Champions League victory alive. It is the second consecutive season that Diego Simeone’s men have progressed.
