Thursday 28 April 2016 11:27, UK
Atletico Madrid pulled off a 1-0 win over favourites Bayern Munich in the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday night to give Pep Guardiola's side work to do in Germany next week.
Saul Niguez's superb first-half goal was the only one of the game and Diego Simeone's team will go to Munich with cause for optimism that they can reach a second final in three years.
But what is it about Atletico that makes them such a tough team to beat? We pick out five factors in their ongoing success...
Defensive resilience
Some teams make football look easy and there's a joy in that. But others can make it look hard too - for the opposition, that is. After constricting defending champions and erstwhile favourites Barcelona in the quarter-finals, Bayern Munich found it no easier.
Atletico pressed their visitors in the first half, forcing Bayern into uncharacteristic long balls, and adapted to defend the perimeter of their goal area after the break. It was yet another defensive masterclass - a 14th clean sheet in 16 home games in the Champions League.
Simeone's side was so well drilled on Wednesday that the only Atletico player booked was goalscorer Saul, while Bayern received three yellow cards. It was controlled aggression on this occasion and Guardiola was unable to solve the Atletico conundrum.
Threat in attack
As well as being typically resilient in guarding their own goal, Atletico also produced the outstanding moment of quality on the night. Saul, a 21-year-old product of the Atletico youth system, slalomed his way through Bayern's defence to make the breakthrough.
Despite the away side's dominance of the ball, it wasn't the only chance. The threat was always there. Fernando Torres might even have added a second, but saw his shot come back off the post. He had more shots than completed passes but that's efficiency, Atletico style.
Their tally of 26 per cent of possession is the second lowest by a winning team in this season's Champions League - the lowest was their 23 per cent against Barca last time out. But with this talented group of players, Atleti don't need much of the ball to win games.
Manager motivation
The role of the man with the plan can hardly be overstated. Simeone's Atletico were beaten by Guardiola in the only previous meeting of the two managers, losing 2-1 as a result of a late Lionel Messi goal in 2012. But this team has been transformed since then.
A master motivator, Simeone has infused his side with a belief that had long gone. In September 2013, he inspired Atletico to their first win over rivals Real Madrid since the turn of the century and has made a mockery of the name 'El Pupas' - the jinxed ones.
Simeone has found a way to change that with hard work, savvy and a sprinkling of quality. He's restored Atleti pride and - already a popular player at the club - become a legend in the process. "He has changed the life of Atleti," said club president Enrique Cerezo.
Personnel changes
Perhaps the most surprising feature of the brilliant job that Simeone has done has been the way he has changed the personnel while sustaining the same attitude and work ethic among the playing squad. This is not just a fluke. There's something special about Atleti.
Only four of the 18-man squad that contested the Champions League final in Lisbon less than two years ago were in the line-up that beat Bayern on Wednesday. And one of them, Filipe Luis, has been to Chelsea to win a Premier League title in the interim period.
Atletico continue to unearth new stars such as goalscorer Saul and the relentless midfielder Augusto Fernandez, both of whom were brilliant against Bayern. The fact that star defender Diego Godin was not missed speaks volumes for the culture of success that's been created.
Fans in on the act
It's worth noting how much the Atletico fans have bought into the work that Simeone has done at the club. The collective spirit seeps down from the stands. "With you to the end," read the sign from supporters at the Calderon before kick-off.
That's literally true with Atletico as they whistled and hollered for the referee to blow his whistle - and that was just half time. Time-wasting has become science rather than art, with a ball even thrown onto the pitch last week in order to prevent an opposition counter.
Everyone is in it together. "We're a tough team, strong, intense, powerful at counter-attacking," said Simeone last year. "I don't want this to ever change." Nor do the fans. And it's a way of playing that continues to confound Europe's most celebrated clubs.
