Simeone chooses not to risk El Niño, Fernando Torres
Simeone denies Atleti crowd Torres appreciation
"Cholo, bring him on! Cholo, bring him on!" This was the Calderón cry, demanding that Torres was brought on as a substitute, but Simeone didn't give them their prize. And why not? He had not used up all available changes, there was no risk to the game nor, if I'm pushed, much else to see, so they would have loved to watch the return of their beloved player who had all our hearts in our mouths just a few days ago. But no, Cholo didn't want to. It didn't suit him. Without that attraction, it was the fans that created the spectacle in the Calderón, who were there in great numbers to see their team on a night without any real intrigue; the tie had been resolved in Germany. It was there, in that 2-4, where the team had given their all. The return leg was left to the fans.
Oblak and Atlético did what they had to
Something else would have been expected from Atlético. At least, some of the fringe players getting a chance. It is understood that the first choice players, more in need of a rest, will be kept in reserve for what is ahead and what comes next, is Sevilla. But of those who have not nailed down a starting XI place they will have to wait a little longer for their chance. The man of the night was Oblak, with three prodigious saves in three seconds, repelling close-range shots. Bayer Leverkusen countered well, they threatened, but at the moment of truth they were faced with Oblak. In an attacking sense, Atlético did little. However, it's true they didn't need any more.
Monaco turn it around on City
The big news of the night came from Monaco, where Guardiola's City were cast aside. They arrived with a 5-3 advantage, which may seem a lot but isn't so much. Monaco put in a colossal first half, dominating the midfield and with an end product. They led 2-0 at half-time. Then, they sat back, and City scored what was a well deserved goal. But when Monaco went at them again, and the English side were unable to follow them and they conceded the third, and decisive, goal, from poorly defended free kick into the area. Along with that of Barça-PSG, this was the other major tie of round of last 16. Monaco made it through their greater faith. A setback for the Premier League, with Leicester their only survivor.
See who gets who in the Champions League quarter final draw live with AS English