Atletico Madrid was the last straw in a poor season for Manchester United. Renan Lodi’s header at Old Trafford sent the Spanish champions into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
United has lost their last chance to win silverware since 2017, as the Brazilian full-back went in unmarked at half-time. They went on to win 1-0 and progress to the next round, 2-1.
United faces a difficult task to get back in the Champions League next season, as a fifth-placed squad with stars is struggling.
READ MORE: Manchester City’s title bid has been thwarted by a stalemate with Crystal Palace.
Atletico’s struggles to get into La Liga’s top 4 this season have shown their limits.
Yet, Diego Simeone’s Champions League knockout team showed their experience and reached the final eight for the sixth consecutive season.
Ralf Rangnick, United interim boss, stated that “we were aware that you need to score against this team the first goal yourself.”
Atletico’s scourge in the Champions League was Cristiano Ronaldo, who twice lost to Real Madrid in the final. He also scored a hat trick for Juventus to overcome a 2-0 deficit in the first leg three years ago.
Simeone’s team won the battle, and the 37-year old failed to score a goal in the Champions League match in which he played 90 minutes.
Anthony Elanga, a Swedish teenager, came off the bench to save United’s 1-1 draw in Madrid three weeks ago. He had only 13 minutes of his best chance.
Elanga was picked out by Diogo Dalot’s cross low to the goal and Jan Oblak, Atletico’s goalkeeper, reacted with a goalbound effort that bounced off Jan Oblak’s head.
Atletico was confined to their half for the first 15 minutes, but they posed a threat whenever they could make a few passes on the counter-attack.
Simeone stated, “At the beginning of the game, you could see that they could hurt us on the counter-attack.” “It was a massive collective effort. I’m delighted.”
Joao Felix had scored five goals in five of his previous games, including Atletico’s goal in the first legs. He finally started to live up to his 120 million-euro ($131million) price tag.
After a clever Atletico move that broke through the United defense, the Portuguese had the ball again in the net. Yet, Koke’s pass, Marcos Llorente, was flagged offside before Felix could apply the final touch.
United didn’t learn from their mistakes and was again open to their left for the decisive goal.
When Felix played the ball forward, the home crowd was still screaming for a foul on Elanga. Felix’s backheel found Antoine Griezmann, who crossed to pick out the unmarked Lodi and sent him home.
Atletico used the tried-and-true tactics of Simeone’s reign during the second period. They were content to follow their lead and weren’t troubled by an uninspired United team.
David De Gea, United goalkeeper, said that “they know how to play those Champions League matches.”
“They scored a goal and are a hard team, so it was difficult for us to take chances. We have been ejected from one of the most important competitions, so it is very disappointing.”
Ralf Rangnick withdrew Bruno Fernandes at 23:00. He emptied his bench to search for an equalizer, Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavavani being thrown on.
Set-pieces, yet, were the only danger to hosts as Oblak made a remarkable save to deny Raphael Varane.
This was United’s last effort to score as the visitors held firm. Simeone could sprint down the touchline to celebrate full-time.
