Diego Forlan scrambled an early goal to give Atletico Madrid a deserved 1-0 win over a lethargic-looking Liverpool in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday. The Uruguay striker fluffed an attempted header in the ninth minute at a boisterous Calderon Stadium but his follow-up effort evaded goalkeeper Pepe Reina and defender Jamie Carragher and squeezed just inside the post. Liverpools journey to the Spanish capital via Paris had taken 24 hours due to airspace restrictions and the Premier League side,missing former Atletico striker Fernando Torres,struggled to build any momentum after falling behind. Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez fielded a cautious-looking starting team,with defensive midfielders Lucas and Javier Mascherano both included and David NGog alone up front. Reina twice saved them from falling further behind in the second half. The Spaniard pulled off a fine reflex stop to deny Simao Sabrosa and later flung himself to his right to block a Tomas Ujfalusi strike as dominant Atletico pressed for a second goal. We are happy but we know that we have to play another 90 minutes and its going to be difficult, Forlan said. Its going to be hard. They play well at Anfield and they are a very strong side, added Forlan. Liverpools only real chance of the first half came in the 19th minute when captain Steven Gerrard raced clear but his left-foot strike under pressure flew well wide. Atletico,who have struggled in La Liga but are also through to the Kings Cup final,passed the ball confidently and the often erratic Luis Perea was a rock in central defence. Its a slender advantage but one that may be decisive, said Atletico coach Quique Sanchez Flores. We cannot be too confident,we mustnt lose sight of the fact that we will have to play well again at Anfield, he said. Benitez complained about a disallowed goal after the match. We had two or three occasions to score,two in the first half when I think the referee cancelled a goal which should have stood, the Spaniard said,referring to an effort by midfielder Yossi Benayoun that was ruled out for offside. Benitez,though,said the intimidating atmosphere of Liverpools home ground would be a big help in the second leg next Thursday. Anfield is our trump card. The game is only halfway through and in the second half we will be at Anfield with our fans behind us, he said. Fulham hold Hamburg In Hamburg,Fulham shrugged off the effects of 17 hours travelling on a coach to hold Hamburg SV to a 0-0 draw in their semi-final. Hamburg did almost all of the attacking but were denied by visiting goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer who was in inspired form,denying Jonathan Pitroipa,Piotr Trochowski and David Jarolim in quick succession in the second half. Ruud van Nistelrooy had an early chance for the Germans when he burst into the penalty area but Schwarzer smothered the ball. Trochowski went close with a 25-metre effort before Zoltan Gera had Fulhams best effort.
