On Wednesday, Manchester United was spared a devastating and well-deserved loss at home to Atletico Madrid.
Anthony Elanga’s last-minute goal saved them from a 1-1 draw during the opening leg in the Champions League last 16.
Atletico defeated a slow United throughout the game on the Wanda Metropolitano and might have been tempted to consider Joao Felix’s goal early as a lack of reward ahead of the second match in Old Trafford in three weeks in.
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However, rather than extending their lead, Atletico squandered it.
Elanga ran into Bruno Fernandes through the ball and used a superb finish after 10 minutes to give United the draw a resounding victory.
During his press conference, United manager Ralf Rangnick was asked what he said to the United players during half-time.
“I have told them that this was insufficient,” he said.
“We need to be more energetic.” energy. It’s not about game plans or strategies. This is about belief.
It’s about faith. It’s not enough. The real issue is that this could be the “Champions League.”
Atletico’s Sime Vrsaljko had already hit the crossbar towards the beginning of the second half.
Antoine Griezmann was also denied a last-minute winner due to the woodwork following Elanga’s equalizer.
However, while United can be relieved over the outcome, this performance raised serious questions about their direction and progress under the interim coaching of Ralf Rangnick.
In the opening half, they could not make a single contact in their Atletico Madrid box, the first time this occurred to the United team during the Champions League since at least 2005.
Cristiano Ronaldo faced an opponent he had played against before in Atletico and scored 25 goals in his 35 games against Diego Simeone’s team and 10 in his final 10 games, including three hat-tricks.
However, the Portuguese were a frustrated and solitary figure in front, making their most notable contribution to the loud boos and cheers from Atletico supporters.
Both Rangnick and Simeone have a long-standing scorer whose requirements could come at the cost of the team; however, as Rangnick played his 37-year-old Ronaldo, Simeone dropped the 35-year-old Luis Suarez with Felix, and Angel Correa named upfront instead.
Scintillating start
Ronaldo was suspended before the game began, as was the former Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane.
The emotional atmosphere was the backdrop to an exciting Atletico beginning.
United was in a state of anxiety in the second half as Harry Maguire needlessly headed behind to take an Atletico corner before a nervous Fernandes touch gave Jose Gimenez a shot at the goal; however, Victor Lindelof made an excellent block.
United appeared to be uncomfortable playing at their back.
Because of an unbalanced David de Gea clearance, Atletico got a corner.
United took the ball away, and Renan Lodi swung in a great crossing from the left. Felix was on the spot to take it; his superb diving shot bouncing off the post.
Atletico was more efficient, hungry, and more firmly with their tactics. They continued to strip United of the ball, but they could not make the final move.
United was furious, Ronaldo in particular, and for 10 minutes, the match was halted due to his antics, the boos and whistles becoming more raucous.
The situation could’ve been even worse when half-time came around when Vrsaljko crossed against the crossbar with Lodi’s shot coming swiftly towards him on the back post, but the net was wide.
United was more efficient, and there was a stretch at the hour mark where Atletico seemed to be losing control.
However, there were only a handful of chances, and when Ronaldo took a free-kick and slid it harmlessly, Atletico looked close to winning.
However, United put together their most impressive and only fluid game as the ball was shot into midfield before Fernandes played Elanga through.
Atletico’s Reinaldo Mandava committed himself but could not keep his foot and fell, which allowed Elanga to clear the field and deliver a stunning finish into the far corner.
Griezmann, playing off the substitute bench, was pushed against the crossbar when four minutes remained, but a deflated Atletico could not regain their lead.
