MADRID (Reuters) -A late header by defender Jose Maria Gimenez gave Atletico Madrid a 2-1 win over RB Leipzig in their Champions League opener on Thursday.
The German visitors took a shock lead in the fourth minute thanks to a header by striker Benjamin Sesko after a quick counter-attack.
However, Antoine Griezmann struck a fine volley into the top corner in the 28th minute to level the score.
Atletico dominated the match with 20 attempts on goal in total, but it wasn’t until the 90th minute that they finally managed to find the winner, with Gimenez heading in a cross from Griezmann.
“We knew that any mistake could cost us a goal and that was what happened, but we were mature enough to keep calm and work our way back from behind,” Griezmann told Movistar Plus.
“To start on the right foot, winning, is very important. Every Champions League game is difficult, no matter the opponent. We have to work hard and keep going like this.
“We have tried until the last moment. We have a deep squad that will make the difference like today. We’re on the right track, but it’s only the beginning.”
Atletico pressed Leipzig from the start with Angel Correa and Griezmann both creating good chances early, but a mistake by midfielder Rodrigo de Paul in the fourth minute handed the visitors the counter-attack that put them in the lead.
The Argentine lost possession to Sesko who burst up the pitch in a quick move that caught Atletico’s defence out of position.
Lois Openda took the ball from the right, firing from the edge of the box which goalkeeper Jan Oblak brilliantly denied with a one-handed save, but Sesko was quicker than defender Robin Le Normand to the rebound and headed into an empty net.
The goal didn’t change the game’s momentum as the hosts kept piling on the pressure, creating several chances until Griezmann found the equaliser in the 28th minute.
A quick counter was started by Angel Correa who found Marcos Llorente on the right wing and his cross was volleyed into the top corner by Griezmann.
After several more chances, the Frenchman forced Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi into a one-handed save to deny a close-range header in the 79th minute but he ended up assisting his teammate Gimenez near fulltime to give Atletico a deserving win.
Atletico will travel to Lisbon to face Benfica while Leipzig meet Juventus in Turin in the second Champions League matchday in October.
(Reporting by Fernando KallasEditing by Christian Radnedge)
