MATCH REPORT: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Manchester United.
Manchester United hopes of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals were boosted after a 1-1 draw against the champions of Spain, thanks to Anthony Elanga’s late equaliser. The goal marked the Red Devils’ 500th goal in the UEFA Champions League and leaves the Round of 16 tie in parity for the second leg at Old Trafford.
The Colchoneros drew first blood after an awesome diving header from Joao Felix left David de Gea rooted to the spot. Manchester United managed to dominate possession afterwards but they struggled to pose any form of threats to a composed Atleti side who sat back and made most of their opportunities on the break.
Simeone tactics almost paid off, as Vrsaljko crashed a header from close range against the crossbar after a major deflection of Lindelof who was played as a fullback in the clash.
Manchester United underwhelmed again and the home fans would’ve been delighted to see United’s stars struggling as an academy graduate, Anthony Elanga, 6 minutes after coming on for Marcus Rashford caught the “Rojiblancos” off-guard and got on the receiving end of a through ball from Bruno Fernandes, calmly slotting it in to level the scores.
United pushed for a winning goal after the equaliser but it was all to no avail at the end for the Red Devils as they have now won just one of their last eight UCL knockout games in Spain.
Atletico Madrid, were unlucky not to score in the 85th minutes when Antoine Griezmann met a Thomas Lemar’s corner kick and unleashed a shot that could only crash against the crossbar. They would be disappointed not to take a win to Old Trafford for the 2nd leg and would have all to play for when the two lock horns in Manchester on the 15th of March.