A miraculous draw for Manchester United. Quickly trailing and in total lack of ideas with the ball, the Red Devils snatched the 1-1 thanks to a goal from young Anthony Elanga, 19, on the lawn of Atlético Madrid on Wednesday evening. Everything will remain to be done on the side of Old Trafford in three weeks, while the formation of Diego Simeone has missed a big opportunity to make a first difference. For that of Ralf Rangnick, it will be necessary to change many things.
We frankly did not know how Manchester United, so borrowed in the game, in such a lack of ideas with the ball, could score on Wednesday evening. And then a 19-year-old striker came in. Anthony Elanga, already two goals in the Premier League this season, took advantage of a missed tackle from Reinildo Mandava on an opening from Bruno Fernandes to go on goal and beat Jan Oblak with a slightly crushed, but so important cross shot (1 -1, 80th). Enough to save a very poor match on the English side. And ruin Atlético’s perfect plan.
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A diving head to capsize the Wanda Metropolitano
The Colchoneros had, before that, made the difference at the start, on a superb diving header from Joao Felix, served by a magnificent cross from Renan Lodi (1-0, 7th). The perfect scenario to block afterwards. Sime Vrsaljko, helped by Victor Lindelof, could have made the break just before the break if the crossbar had not decided otherwise (45th). And behind, the scenario has turned slightly.
At the break, Ralf Rangnick, not necessarily inspired in his starting choices like Lindelof’s tenure as… right back, chose to go from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3. Then the simultaneous entries of Wan-Bissaka, Telles and Matic gave a little boost to the Red Devils who really needed it. Opposite, Atlético began to enter into caricature and conflict, rather than trying to make a break. On arrival, the Spanish club will have framed only once… but touched the bar twice.
Griezmann so close to being the rojiblanco savior
Injured since January 6 and back in competition a quarter of an hour from the end, Antoine Griezmann could indeed have been the hero of this end of the match. On the lookout for a corner at the far post, the French rolled up a perfect shot from the left. Or almost, since it crashed on the bar. What offer a last thrill to the public of the Wanda Metropolitano who, if we compare it to the performances of the 22 actors and the referee – who multiplied the bad decisions -, will have been the only one to be of high level during the whole meeting. Old Trafford will have to do as well, because United will need them badly.
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