Manchester United drew against the former Spanish champions Atletico Madrid with a score-line of 1-1 in a fierce competition at the Wanda Metropolitano. This was United’s very first meeting with Atletico in this competition, with the match ending on a well-deserved draw.
Atletico kept constant pressure on United and eventually that paid-off within the first 6 minutes of the game. Joao Felix with a bullet header on the right side of the post was enough to put Atletico in charge of the game. Renan Lodi’s brilliant ball of energy down the left flank helped Felix score in the first instance.
United were lacking dynamism almost throughout the night and in the first half and United recorded a total of 60 mistouches inside in their own box.
In the 45th minute of the game, Vrsaljko’s header struck the woodwork depriving Atletico doubling their lead over United. United’s midfield pressure seemed completely off allowing Atletico to easily penetrate in their own half.
United had most of the possession throughout the game (61%) but still failed to capitalise. On the hand, Atletico were more composed even though they had less possession of the ball (39%).
Players like Rashford, Sancho, Pogba and Ronaldo had a poor performance in such a crucial game. Joao Felix was deemed the man of the match after a thunderous performance. The game took a serious turn when Matic was subbed on in place of Pogba.
Elanga once again being the super sub does his job brilliantly. United break at speed with Bruno Fernandes supplying another assist in this season’s competition, threading a perfectly-weighted pass. Elanga scored his first ever Champions League goal and what a mark United’s 500 goals in this competition. On the other hand, Bruno Fernandes becomes the first ever player to have six consecutive assists in a Champions League game after David Beckham who previously had five.
The score-line could have again changed if Griezmann hadn’t put that cheeky left footed shot a bit higher and as a result it touched the cross-bar helping United survive once again. De Gea was completely beaten. Llorente sneaked into that right side of the area to get a touch on Lemar’s deep corner from the left side of the corner allowing Griezmann to take that shot.
Now it all comes down to the 2nd leg of the Champions league Round of 16, which is to be played at Old Trafford on the 16th of March. United needs to strengthen their midfield and defense at the same time and prevent themselves from losing possession in their own half. Moreover, the home crowd plays a massive advantage. United needs to capitalise on the break and make the most out of it.
It was a tough game and United were lucky to be awarded a draw. However, it was Atletico Madrid who played immensely well both in the first and the second half.
