Atletico Madrid visits the mighty “Theatres of Dream” this Tuesday to finish off with the second leg of the UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE fixture. Last time, when United faced Atletico in the first leg in Madrid, the game ended with 1-1 scoreline.
Atletico Madrid confirmed their squad for the clash as Koke who missed the first leg has now been included in the travelling party. Geoffrey Kondogbia and Mario Hermoso were not involved in the squad but later it was confirmed that they both would be on the travelling plane to the UK. However, two biggest absentees for the Spanish giants are Thomas Lemar and Vrsaljko.
United has been on a mixed set of run recently as the Red Devils somehow managed to get three points in the bag against Spurs over the weekend. Cristiano Ronaldo got his form back after a poor run of events and scoring his 2nd Manchester United hattrick. This has surely been an added boost for the home side who is eagerly waiting to lift this prestigious trophy.
Ralf Ragnick has also confirmed that Scott Mctominay, Luke Shaw and Bruno Fernandes have trained for the Atletico clash. Bruno, who was being speculated for being inflicted with Covid-19 got his reports to be negative and is again back on the training pitch.
Varane, Dalot, Lindelof and Telles makes the United defence lethal as compared to when Maguire’s doing his defensive chores. United needs to break that Atletico’s defensive walls and be the first team to score in the game. Fred is certainly being one of the most influential players in that United jersey. On the other hand, Jadon Sancho who was being booed by the rival fans at the start of the season are getting the perfect response from this young Englishman’s performance recently.
Bruno Fernandes still tops the chart with the highest number of assists (7) in the UCL. Matic could be given the greenlight due to Mctominay’s lack of training.
Atletico Madrid has lost only one game in their last five games. This shows that how consistent they have been lately. United again needs to check their defence as Atletico is filled with lethal strikers like Luis Suarex, Felix and Griezmann. United’s attack is equally decisive and moreover United’s midfield is better than that of Atletico.
MATCH PREDICTION-
With United’s and Atletico’s current run of form the game could go either way. What makes United have an upper hand is the “Home Advantage”. Old Trafford atmosphere is completely different which will surely help to boost the spirits of the players in red. We could expect the game to end with United winning and Ronaldo wrapping it up with his clinical finishing in-front of the Stretford End.
Manchester United 3-1 Atletico Madrid
WHEN AND WHERE-
Date- 15th March,2022
Time- 8pm GMT/ 1.30am IST
Venue- Old Trafford
