In the Premier League, Manchester United only has outsider chances to finish in the top four. The hope for a successful end of the season was therefore in the Champions League. But the “Red Devils” also disappointed here.
Manchester United with coach Ralf Rangnick failed in the round of 16 of the Champions League at Atlético Madrid. The team around superstar Cristiano Ronaldo lost the second leg in their own stadium 0:1 and was eliminated after the 1:1 in the first leg. Winger Renan Lodi scored the decisive goal with a header (41st minute). Manchester has thus been eliminated from all national and international cup competitions.
That’s how the game went
Manchester started well in front of 73,000 spectators at Old Trafford, Anthony Elanga missed the first big chance when he shot the ball to goalkeeper Jan Oblak (13th). At the other end, Rodrigo de Paul was saved by United keeper David De Gea (16′), who made a brilliant save.
The “Red Devils” dominated, Atlético countered: After a cross from Antoine Griezman, Lodi surprisingly headed the guests into the lead, Ronaldo loudly and with gestures complained about an alleged foul before the attack. Oblak prevented Bruno Fernandes from equalizing shortly before the break (45+2).
Cristiano Ronaldo plays a pass, Diego Simeone (in the background) watches. (Source: Marca/imago images)
Immediately after the restart, Elanga just missed the far corner (46th). Ex-Dortmunder Jadon Sancho volleyed just over the bar (59′), then Raphael Varane failed with a header at Oblak (77′).
In the final phase, the Madrilenians defended with all eleven players and were deep in their own half. Atlético coach Diego Simeone and his players received a lot of criticism from opposing fans for this approach. After the final whistle, the Argentine ran into the catacombs with mugs and other objects flying in his direction.