A flight from Liverpool took to me to Madrid where I finally got a chance to visit the famous old ground, at the third attempt, after my previous trips were foiled by late kick off changes.
Atletico Madrid were hosting FC Rostov, who are first time Champions League qualifiers from Russia. Atletico won 1-0 in Rostov on Don two weeks ago and a repeat performance this evening would see 'Los Rojiblancos' through to the knockout stages.
The Vicente Calderon, which opened in 1966, is located on the banks of the River Manzanares, which gave the ground it's original name of the Estadio de Manzanares. The name was later changed in honour of Vicente Calderon, the club president who was the driving force behind the new ground.
The ground was upgraded for the 1982 world Cup, with the most recent upgrade being the installation of red and white seats. An unusual feature of the ground is that the M30 motorway passes underneath the Main Stand, of which one side is closed on matchdays allowing spectators to walk around freely and, in my case, also take photographs!
The new ground is on the edge of the city and is clearly visible as you descend in Barajas International Airport and can also be seen from the transfer bus into the city.
The Estadio La Peineta, officially known as Estadio Olímpico de Madrid, will be ready for the beginning of the next season. The ground originally had a capacity of 20,000 which will be increased to around 73,000 spectators for Atletico. Unlike the current ground, all the seats will be covered by a new roof. Luckily for tonights game there was no rain tonight though it was very, very cool sat high in the stand behind the goal.
Pre-match there was time to see the sights (ahem) of Madrid so this involved another trip to the fabulous Fogg Birra and Cheese bar, with it's superb selection of beer, and another great bar, La Mayor, on Calle Mayor, not far from the Catedral de la Almudena. From here it was a straightforward 20 minute walk to the stadium.
It was a fantastic sight as I approached the ground, with the floodlights beaming into the night sky. It heightened the anticipation and on entering the ground I could not have failed to have been impressed by this cauldron of colour and sound.
Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring for Atletico after 28 minutes when he flicked the ball over the 'keeper into the Rostov goal. The home celebrations had barely subsided when Sardar Azmoun was played through to equalise. Atletico controlled the game but stubborn defending and a little luck almost secured Rostov a point.
However in the last seconds of the game Griezmann scored (what seemed) a controversial winner. The Frenchman fired home a superb volley but the linesman had his flag up as Griezmann was in an offside position. The referee though overuled him as the ball came off a Rostov defender on the way through.
The result meant Atletico Madrid qualified for the last 16 from Group D alongside Bayern Munich.
If you have not been to the Estadio Vicente Calderon then I suggest you try and make a point of getting there before it's too late. I promise you won't regret it!
Atletico Madrid were hosting FC Rostov, who are first time Champions League qualifiers from Russia. Atletico won 1-0 in Rostov on Don two weeks ago and a repeat performance this evening would see 'Los Rojiblancos' through to the knockout stages.
The Vicente Calderon, which opened in 1966, is located on the banks of the River Manzanares, which gave the ground it's original name of the Estadio de Manzanares. The name was later changed in honour of Vicente Calderon, the club president who was the driving force behind the new ground.
The ground was upgraded for the 1982 world Cup, with the most recent upgrade being the installation of red and white seats. An unusual feature of the ground is that the M30 motorway passes underneath the Main Stand, of which one side is closed on matchdays allowing spectators to walk around freely and, in my case, also take photographs!
The new ground is on the edge of the city and is clearly visible as you descend in Barajas International Airport and can also be seen from the transfer bus into the city.
The Estadio La Peineta, officially known as Estadio Olímpico de Madrid, will be ready for the beginning of the next season. The ground originally had a capacity of 20,000 which will be increased to around 73,000 spectators for Atletico. Unlike the current ground, all the seats will be covered by a new roof. Luckily for tonights game there was no rain tonight though it was very, very cool sat high in the stand behind the goal.
Pre-match there was time to see the sights (ahem) of Madrid so this involved another trip to the fabulous Fogg Birra and Cheese bar, with it's superb selection of beer, and another great bar, La Mayor, on Calle Mayor, not far from the Catedral de la Almudena. From here it was a straightforward 20 minute walk to the stadium.
It was a fantastic sight as I approached the ground, with the floodlights beaming into the night sky. It heightened the anticipation and on entering the ground I could not have failed to have been impressed by this cauldron of colour and sound.
However in the last seconds of the game Griezmann scored (what seemed) a controversial winner. The Frenchman fired home a superb volley but the linesman had his flag up as Griezmann was in an offside position. The referee though overuled him as the ball came off a Rostov defender on the way through.
The result meant Atletico Madrid qualified for the last 16 from Group D alongside Bayern Munich.
If you have not been to the Estadio Vicente Calderon then I suggest you try and make a point of getting there before it's too late. I promise you won't regret it!
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