In a swirling Wanda Metropolitano stadium, Atlético Madrid took Manchester United by the throat as usual. With energetic football, the Spaniards once again embodied the philosophy of their coach, Diego Simeone, in the opening stages of the Champions League game.
Finally. Atlético have been a bit lost this season. With erratic performances and a cartload of goals against, it looks like a shadow of the impregnable fortress it once was.
But after seven minutes, Joao Félix cleared the sky again in Madrid. The Portuguese nodded a perfectly cut cross from his teammate Renan Lodi through the post.
1-0 in debt to Atlético has meant an impossible task in recent years. Today the Spaniards again seemed to succeed in paralyzing the game completely. Their opponent’s immaturity was a bonus.
But Ralf Ragnick still had a joker in his pocket. United’s coach dropped 19-year-old Anthony Elanga into his searching team. Five minutes later, the youth product popped up like a little devil from a box for Jan Oblak. He thanked his trainer for the confidence and slid the ball in.
The Wanda Metropolitano went deafeningly silent. Again not for Atletico. Another sudden goal. Both teams have until March 15 to recharge their batteries for the return leg.
