Bolton pulled off a superb goalless draw in Spain against Atletico Madrid to book a place in the last 16 of the Uefa Cup.
Trotters secure clash with Sporting Lisbon
Bolton pulled off a goalless draw against Atletico Madrid to book a place in the last 16 of the Uefa Cup.
Leading 1-0 from the first leg at the Reebok Stadium, Gary Megson's side produced a perfect defensive performance in the Spanish capital to frustrate the home side and claim a famous scalp.
The result was enough to send the Trotters through to a meeting against Sporting Lisbon in the next round - the Portuguese outfit 5-0 aggregate winners over Basle.
Despite their first-leg advantage, the odds were still stacked against Bolton with Atletico never having lost at home to an English club in European competition.
The Spaniards had also won their last seven European ties at the Vicente Calderon, scoring 16 goals and conceding just one in the process.
Wanderers more than held their own during a disappointing first half, with Atletico clearly missing the attacking guile of suspended striker Sergio Aguero.
Difficult
Playing with Kevin Davies as a lone frontman, Bolton made it difficult for the hosts to create many clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes.
And it was the Trotters who almost took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes when Stelios Giannakopoulos found space on the right side of the area, and home goalkeeper Christian Abbiati needed to be alert to tip over the Greek midfielder's well-struck shot.
Aside from that effort, Atletico made all the running in the first half, Luis Garcia shooting over with only Jussi Jaaskelainen to beat.
Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan also had a decent opening in the 22nd minute but he headed wide from 10 yards out.
The second half started where the first left off, with Atletico pushing for the breakthrough.
No problem
Full-back Mariano Pernia tried his luck from outside the area but it was no problem for Jaaskelainen, while Luis Garcia curled a shot well wide.
Forlan, Pernia and Jurado then saw three efforts bravely blocked in rapid succession.
Atletico continued to push forward in search of the goal that would possibly send the game to extra-time, but the Bolton defence stood firm.
The Spaniards appealed for a penalty with 10 minutes remaining when Forlan's cross struck Jlloyd Samuel, but Polish referee Jacek Granat was unmoved.
Home goalkeeper Abbiati twice ventured upfield in the closing stages for a corner and free-kick, but Bolton comfortably saw off the danger to celebrate a famous success.
| Atlético de Madrid |
Team Statistics |
Bolton Wanderers |
| 0 |
Goals |
0 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 2 |
Shots on Target |
1 |
| 14 |
Shots off Target |
0 |
| 10 |
Blocked Shots |
0 |
| 14 |
Corners |
3 |
| 9 |
Fouls |
15 |
| 1 |
Offsides |
2 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
4 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 85.2 |
Passing Success |
66.3 |
| 22 |
Tackles |
22 |
| 72.7 |
Tackles Success |
68.2 |
| 69 |
Possession |
31 |
| 57.7 |
Territorial Advantage |
42.3 |
|
