Simeone’s Atletico Madrid cruise into Champions League quarter-finals

Bayer came into the match at Vicente Calderon Stadium in a highly disadvantageous position after losing 4-2 at home in the February 21 first leg of this round-of-16 matchup.

In 2016 the Frenchman proved himself as one of world football’s most deadly forwards, but also missed out in agonising fashion in the Champions League and Euro 2016 finals, as well as finishing third behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the Ballon d’Or.

Leverkusen knew it wouldn’t be their night, however, when Atleti stopper Jan Oblak made a tremendous trio of saves, first denying Brandt before Kevin Volland could only hit the Slovenian twice in quick succession.

Leverkusen’s Bernd Leno also made some fine saves to deny Angel Correa and Koke, while Griezmann came close to breaking the deadlock with a clever chip that went narrowly wide. This should be a terrific match with two teams both gunning for a win.

The Bundesliga side continued to press players forward as the match approached its final moments, but Atletico kept their clean sheet in tact as the La Liga outfit joined the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the competition. “It’s a pleasure to play with him”, Volland said at the news conference.

The draw for Champions League quarterfinals will be held in Nyon’s UEFA headquarters on Friday.

City have not ever lost to a French side in European competition, but Monaco have won each of their three knockout matches in the Champions League against English teams.

“It hasn’t been easy at all to get this far four years in a row and I hope we continue to grow as we have done in those years”.

Ghana global Thomas showed his energy and physicality with regular surges through the centre, bringing warm applause from the home fans, with one burst forward leading to a chance spurned by Correa.

Manchester City’s first genuine chance was in the second half, but Andrea Raggi made a decisive block on Sergio Aguero.

However, they will be without Gabi and Filipe Luis, who are suspended, as well as injured duo Tiago Mendes and Augusto Fernandez.