Champions League: Guy United ranking overdue to salvage 1-1 draw with Atletico

Atletico stored outdated foe Cristiano Ronaldo in test and were given a stellar efficiency from his Portugal teammate Joao Felix, however a defensive lapse close to the top intended Diego Simeone’s group needed to accept a 1-1 draw within the first leg of the around of 16.

Felix _ as soon as touted as the following Ronaldo _ was once essentially the most unhealthy ahead and put the hosts forward with a diving header seven mins into the fit, however replace Anthony Elanga equalized within the 80th in a while after coming off the bench in one of the most few instances the Atletico protection broke down.

“I believe it was once my first contact,” mentioned Elanga, who turned into United’s youngest-ever scorer within the knockout level at 19 years, 302 days. “I’ve dreamt of moments like this, scoring within the Champions League in opposition to a most sensible group like Atletico Madrid.“

Atletico was once in keep an eye on all over many of the fit on the Wanda Metropolitano and two times hit the crossbar, together with with an 86th-minute shot by way of Antoine Griezmann.

Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo controls the ball all over the Champions League, around of 16, first leg football fit between Atletico Madrid and Manchester United on the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. (AP Photograph/Manu Fernandez)

“They took benefit of a mistake in what was once an excellent recreation for us,” Simeone mentioned. “We did virtually the entirety proper all of the fit. We couldn’t win however I’m pleased with how we performed and it’s all extensive open for the second one recreation.”

The go back leg can be on March 15 in England.

Within the different round-of-16 fit Wednesday, Benfica and Ajax drew 2-2 in Portugal.

“After the efficiency within the first part it will most effective recuperate,” United trainer Ralf Rangnick mentioned. “What we performed within the first part _ I nonetheless can’t consider it. We performed with out conviction and the essential aggression in opposition to the ball.”

Ronaldo, who a number of instances ended Atletico’s name hopes within the Champions League when he was once with crosstown rival Actual Madrid, struggled during the fit and was once visibly annoyed. Remoted up entrance, he was once booed by way of the Atletico enthusiasts just about each time he touched the ball on the Metropolitano.

Felix was once a lot more unhealthy for Atletico, repeatedly threatening along with his fast turns and powerful runs.

The 21-year-old ahead opened the scoring with an impressive header off a well-placed pass by way of Renan Lodi. The ball got here off the submit ahead of getting into to make Felix the primary Portuguese participant to attain a Champions League purpose in opposition to United since Ronaldo discovered the web for Juventus in opposition to the English facet in November 2018.

It was once Felix’s 7th Champions League purpose in 20 appearances within the festival, and primary since 2020.

Manchester United’s Anthony Elanga celebrates after scoring his facet’s first purpose all over the Champions League, around of 16, first leg football fit between Atletico Madrid and Manchester United on the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. (AP Photograph/Manu Fernandez)

With the 37-year-old Ronaldo nicely defended and now not having the ability to attach along with his teammates, United appeared overwhelmed till Elanga broke loose to seek out the web from throughout the space after a pleasant via ball from playmaker Bruno Fernandes, the contest’s assists chief with seven.

Elanga had entered the fit 5 mins previous and took benefit of the uncommon house given up by way of the Atletico protection, scoring United’s 500th purpose within the festival in the past referred to as the Ecu Cup.

“We’re just a little upset, we didn’t deserve a draw,” Atletico defender Jose Maria Gimenez mentioned. “We did the entirety we needed to do to win. We defended nicely and created scoring possibilities in assault. They scored on an off-the-cuff purpose and we didn’t deserve that.”

Atletico completed with 13 overall makes an attempt however just one not off course, whilst United had two not off course from 9 in overall. Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak was once credited with the one save of the sport.

Griezmann, who began at the bench at the side of Luis Suarez, had the danger to position Atletico forward once more close to the top however his shot hit the crossbar. Atletico additionally was once held by way of the woodwork simply ahead of halftime when a close-range header by way of Sime Vrsaljko bounced onto the crossbar off the face of United defender Victor Lindelof.

Ronaldo, who had scored in all 5 group-stage suits he performed, was once visibly annoyed along with his group’s struggles and in addition complained to the referees whilst going into the converting rooms at halftime. His absolute best scoring likelihood got here from a 79th-minute loose kick that sailed top.

He has just one purpose in his closing 9 video games in all competitions in what’s one in every of his leanest spells since changing into a scoring device within the latter a part of his first stint with United from 2003-09.

Ronaldo helped finish Atletico’s Champions League name hopes 5 other instances whilst taking part in for Actual Madrid and Juventus. He scored hat methods for Madrid in 2017 and Juventus in 2019, and transformed decisive penalty kicks within the finals between town opponents in 2014 and 2016.

He had 25 targets in 35 occupation conferences in opposition to Atletico, essentially the most in opposition to any opponent as opposed to Sevilla.

It was once the primary assembly between the golf equipment since the second one around of the UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup in 1991-92, when Atletico received 4-1 on mixture.