Atletico cruises into quarter-finals
Bernd Leno and Jan Oblak were the stars as Atletico Madrid drew 0-0 with Bayer Leverkusen to reach the UEFA Champions League last eight.
Atletico Madrid reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the fourth time in as many seasons after Thursday's (AEDT) 0-0 draw with Bayer Leverkusen.
Diego Simeone's side claimed a 4-2 win in the first leg of the Round of 16 tie in Germany and was never unduly troubled as it produced a composed performance at Estadio Vicente Calderon.
Leverkusen had only beaten Atletico once in its previous five meetings, and although it tested Jan Oblak on a handful of occasions, a stunning comeback rarely looked likely.
Bernd Leno produced two exemplary saves to deny Angel Correa and Koke in the first half, while Antoine Griezmann saw a devilish chip drop just wide, but Atleti chances were scarce in a low-risk performance.
Oblak produced a stunning triple-save to keep the scores level after the imperious Diego Godin was for once beaten, but it proved to be as close as Leverkusen would come to suggesting they could steal a spot in the last eight.
Atleti cruised through the closing stages to secure its spot as the third LaLiga side in the next round, with attentions now turning to a key league meeting with Sevilla at the Calderon on Monday (AEDT).
