Champions League
Manchester United drew 1-1 at Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg on Wednesday. The “Red Devils” equalized the early lead by Joao Felix (7th) in the finish, “Joker” Anthony Elanga scored in the 80th minute. In the second duel of the evening, Benfica Lisbon and Ajax Amsterdam drew 2: 2 (1: 2).
In Madrid, Felix provided the quick lead: After a nice cross from Renan Modi, the 22-year-old offensive player completed it with a diving header to make it 1-0. The guests remained harmless at first and were lucky when Sime Vrsaljko hit the woodwork (45′). Five minutes after being substituted on, the only 19-year-old Elanga then netted a flat shot into the far corner to make it 1-1. Atletico hit the bar again shortly before the end through Antoine Griezmann (87th).
In the parallel game, Sebastien Haller was once again the man of the game for Ajax Amsterdam: after Dusan Tadic had taken the lead (18′), the Ivorian initially directed the ball into his own goal (25′). Four minutes later he hit the target and increased his CL goal tally to eleven goals this season. However, Roman Yaremchuk deservedly equalized for the Portuguese, who were better after the break (72′).
The ÖFB team player Valentino Lazaro, who was last placed on the right wing at Benfica, only made a brief appearance in the final minutes. The second leg takes place on March 15th.
Dream start for Atletico
Atletico got off to a dream start at home. Felix converted a cross from Lodi with a head via the left inner post (7th). It was the first CL goal of the season for the young star. The Spanish champions had the game under control and didn’t allow United a single ball action in the penalty area in the first half. Cristiano Ronaldo, about whom the “Red Devils” are said to have recently had disagreements, was also unsubscribed. In his nine previous competitive appearances since the turn of the year, the Portuguese has only scored one goal.
United coach Ralf Rangnick sent 19-year-old Elanga onto the field for the final quarter of an hour – it paid off. Bruno Fernandes served the Swede with a well dosed pass shortly after he was substituted on. Elanga sank the ball in only his second Champions League appearance in the far corner.
The Madrilenians have been unbeaten in 15 Champions League home games in the knockout phase since 1997, but they have to tremble for the quarter-finals. In 2014 and 2016, coach Diego Simeone led the “Colchoneros” to the finals. United have been waiting in vain since 2011 to advance further than the quarter-finals in the premier class.
Ajax gives up the lead twice
Ajax took the lead in Lisbon with a remarkable goal from Dusan Tadic (18′). His offensive partner Sebastien Haller scored on both sides. First the 27-year-old – shot by Jan Vertonghen from close range – equalized with an own goal (25′), four minutes later he scored his eleventh Champions League goal of the season. Haller not only leads the scoring list, he has also scored in all seven previous CL games of the season – not even record man Ronaldo had managed to do that before.
For the first time this season, his team did not leave the field as winners in the premier class. Substitute Roman Yaremchuk equalized after the break with a header (72′). Ajax is still capable of a sensational run like in 2019, when the outsider in the concert of the greats only ended up in the semifinals against Tottenham.
