'More refined than Foden and Valverde'

Rafael van der Vaart enjoyed Atlético Madrid's second goal against Borussia Dortmund. Samuel Lino was the final stop of a smooth attack in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final, in which Antoine Griezmann in particular stole the show.

After half an hour of play, an innocent-looking throw-in turned out not to be so innocent after all. Nahuel Molina threw deep to Griezmann, who just missed receiving the ball but saw how Nico Schlotterbeck defended dramatically. Morata took over possession and served Griezmann, who in turn served Lino with an extremely nice chip ball. Lino kept a cool head and finished in the far corner: 2-0.

“This is perhaps the most beautiful Champions League goal this season,” Van der Vaart opens during halftime of the match in conversation with presenter Wytse van der Goot. “And why? I think this is technical… That lob… He couldn't cross the ground, because otherwise the ball could be intercepted. Lob, take and finish in one go. I think this is art. I mean that seriously. “

Van der Vaart's statement may be called somewhat striking, as Phil Foden and Federico Valverde scored wonderful goals in the Champions League match between Real Madrid and Manchester City (3-3) on Tuesday evening. “I think this is more refined, definitely.”

Atlético leads 2-0 at halftime. Los Colchoneros put extreme pressure on Dortmund from the start, which barely managed to deal with it. The scoring was opened in the fourth minute by Rodrigo De Paul, who took advantage of an awkward play from Gregor Kobel and a dramatic pass from Ian Maatsen.

“You see that everyone follows. That's the thing about putting pressure. You have to run before the ball is played. Then you are just on time. And keep going, don't stop. You have to be super fit for that and they are. At a certain point you do have the ball, because you cannot escape it. Especially in a home game, they cannot be stopped.”

Van der Vaart places the blame for the opening goal on both Kobel and Maatsen. “It's not a wonderful ball (from Kobel, ed.), but you don't have to just lose it either. Of course, if you see it that way, the goalkeeper could have kept better. But you don't have to do this, of course” , Van der Vaart is referring to the pass with the outside of Maatsen's foot. “He's too good for that. Actually, they're both wrong.”

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