Champions League: Atletico, Real play out stalemate

Quarter-final first-leg between Madrid rivals ends in a draw while Juventus edge out Monaco in Turin.

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Atletico and Real had both topped their groups [Getty Images]

Atletico Madrid goal-keeper Jan Oblak produced a heroic performance to repel holders Real Madrid and help secure a 0-0 draw in their Champions League quarter-final, first-leg at the Calderon.

Slovenian Oblak made a string of memorable saves against the team that beat Atletico in last season’s final to keep the Spanish champions’ hopes of reaching the last-four alive ahead of next week’s return game at the Bernabeu.

Gareth Bale had probably their best chance as early as the third minute when he ran clear through the centre after a mistake from Diego Godin but Oblak raced out and blocked the Welshman’s shot.

Vidal ensures three points

Elsewhere, Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal smashed home a second-half penalty to earn a 1-0 win at home to Monaco in the other quarter-final.

Vidal, who has missed two penalties this season, held his nerve and fired into the roof of the net in the 57th minute after Ricardo Carvalho bundled over Alvaro Morata, who had been sent clear by Andrea Pirlo’s lofted through ball.

Although Italian champions Juve dominated possession, Monaco were always a threat on the break and forced Gianluigi Buffon into three top-class saves to deny them an away goal ahead of the second leg on April 22.

Results:

Atletico Madrid 0-0 Real Madrid

Juventus 1-0 Monaco

Source: Al Jazeera, News Agencies