Atletico Madrid qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday evening at the expense of Manchester United. For the team of coach Diego Simeone, a 0-1 victory over Old Trafford was sufficient after the 1-1 draw in the first leg. Left back Renan Lodi scored the only goal of the game in the 41st minute. United had the better of the game in the first half hour, but failed to find a hole in the Madrid defense after the goal just before half-time.
At United, after his hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur (3-2 win), there was of course a starting place for Ronaldo. The Portuguese attacker immediately set the tone at Old Trafford by holding the ball high a few times during the first attack. Where the Red Devils came out extremely weak during the first leg in Madrid, they had an early opportunity at Old Trafford to open the score via Anthony Elanga, who almost outsmarted the out-dated Jan Oblak with a header. United dictated in the opening stages and should have broken the spell after a flashy attack when Elanga was presented an unmissable opportunity by Bruno Fernandes. This time, however, the Swedish teenager shot from about two meters into Oblak’s head.
Oh dear! That only saves a hair?? Joao Felix thinks to make the 0-1, but Marcos Llorente turns out to be offside ??#ZiggoSport #UCL #MUNATM pic.twitter.com/axFJOxQpkY
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) March 15, 2022
Atlético was shocked after the opportunities for Elanga and also got a serious opportunity to take the lead. Rodrigo de Paul pulled the trigger from twenty yards and saw his deflected shot being tapped out of the intersection by David de Gea. The visitors slowly but surely fought their way into the game in the first company and thought to make it 0-1, after João Félix scored on a pass from Marcos Llorente. The Madrid party was ultimately canceled because the Spanish midfielder was centimeters offside just before his assist. On the stroke of half-time, Atlético still hit. After a smooth attack over several pieces, Antoine Griezmann served Lodi with a tailor-made cross. The left back was overlooked by Diogo Dalot, allowing him to head in at the far post: 0-1.
United immediately went after the equalizer in the second half. Once again, it was Elanga who didn’t quite have his sights set. The Swedish teenager tried with a low diagonal shot, but saw his effort go right past the left post. With a triple substitution, manager Ralf Rangnick then hoped to turn the game around – Marcus Rashford, Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba came on for Scott McTominay, Elanga and Fernandes. Given the many chances, the home team claimed the 1-1. Raphaël Varane was also unable to help United with a liberating goal. The defender headed hard on goal, but Oblak managed to distinguish himself with an excellent reflex.
Now it is! † Full-back Renan Lodi heads in on a pass from Antoine Griezmann?? We’re going to rest with a 0-1 score ??#ZiggoSport #UCL #MUNATM pic.twitter.com/vZD4z4wV6m
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) March 15, 2022