An early goal from Koke has left Atletico Madrid 1-0 up on the night and 2-1 ahead on aggregate in their Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona.
© AFP
The hosts started brightly, and managed to take the lead just six minutes into the tie when Koke slotted the ball in after Adrian headed it on from a David Villa delivery.
Jose Pinto almost gifted Atletico a second just a couple of minutes later as he was slow to clear from in front of his own goal and nearly lost the ball to Villa, but just managed to hold on.
The visitors managed to create a chance of their own 13 minutes in when Dani Alves found Lionel Messi will a cross, but the Argentine headed wide.
Villa continued to pose a threat for the Madrid side throughout the opening half, rattling the post three times in the first 20 minutes.
Andres Iniesta helped create a number of half-chances for the reigning La Liga champions as half time approached, but they were unable to get back on level terms before the break.
Sian Cowper
