For a long time it looked as if Ralf Rangnick would lose with Manchester United at Atlético Madrid. But then came Anthony Elanga: the Swede secured at least a draw for the English.
Manchester United went into the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 with a 1-1 draw against Atlético Madrid. The Red Devils fought a late draw in Spain. Joao Felix had given the hosts an early lead (7th minute), and Anthony Elanga, who came on as a substitute in the 75th minute, made it 1-1 (80th). In the second leg on March 15 (Tuesday), superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. can only keep their last title chance of the season by winning.
That’s how the game went
Madrid’s young star Joao Felix (7th) initially put the home side in the lead with a wonderful diving header. However, substitute Swede Anthony Elanga secured the draw for the Brits ten minutes before the final whistle.
Champions League: Atlético Madrid scored early against Manchester United. (Source: Juan Medina/Reuters)
Madrid coach Diego Simeone surprised Manchester in the early stages. Contrary to their formal line-up, the Spaniards, who were beaten in the domestic league, made one attack after the other on the guest goal with their ex-keeper David de Gea between the posts, even without their star strikers Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann. After taking the lead, Atletico hit the crossbar again from Manchester’s goal during their urge phase.
Ronaldo and Pogba didn’t happen
Only in the final phase of the first round did Atletico’s pressure ease off a bit. Manchester still got few opportunities to implement Rangnick’s requirements for more ball possession.
The English had already had to change their plans at short notice when they arrived. After the escalation in the Ukraine conflict, according to several media reports, the club canceled the flight to Madrid originally planned with the Russian flight partner Aeroflot and chartered a machine for the trip from another provider.
Manchester’s game appeared just as bumpy as the journey after the change of sides. Ronaldo and his congenial teammate Paul Pogba continued to practically not take place. Even as Madrid slowed down early in the closing stages, Rangnick’s side were unable to take advantage of the larger spaces before Elanga completed a quick counter-attack with somewhat surprising success.
In the second round of 16 first leg, Benfica Lisbon stopped Ajax Amsterdam’s winning streak in the premier class. After six wins in the six group games, the Dutch did not get more than 2-2 (2-1) in front of 54,760 spectators at the Estádio da Luz.
Dusan Tadic (18th) gave Ajax the lead, then Champions League top scorer Sébastien Haller struck twice. First the ex-Frankfurter scored in his own goal (26th), shortly afterwards he put his team in the lead again (29th). Substitute Roman Yaremchuk (72nd) managed to equalize for Benfica. The second leg will take place on March 15th.