Swapping the gloomy environs of Manchester to the sunshine of Madrid was never going to be easy for United, as Atlético put them to the sword right from the outset. Packed to the rafters, the Wanda Metropolitano erupted with joy in the 7th minute from a certain Portuguese No.7 in their ranks – a textbook diving header by João Félix left David de Gea turning twice to see the ball crash the post on its way in to draw first blood.
Although United managed to hold more of the ball thereafter, they struggled to threaten a shrewd Atleti side content with sitting back and making the most of their opportunities on the break. One such brilliant chance arrived in the final minute of the first period, as Šime Vrsaljko blew a header from close range by crashing it against the crossbar after a wicked deflection off defender Victor Lindelöf. Ralf Rangnick needed to completely change his side’s approach in the second half, as United lost possession an astonishing 61 times during the first half.
The Madrid natives restarted the second half with the same enthusiasm with which they ended the first, finding comfort in Unifinal thirdiciency in the final-third. The ‘Red Devils’ failed to better their approach as the game progressed with fruitless possession, falling victim to the home side’s defensive tenacity and ball-winning prowess. Despite dominating for most of the game, the ‘Rojiblancos’ were caught napping for the first time in the match, as substitute Anthony Elanga was on the receiving end of a Bruno Fernandes through ball, which he calmly slotted in with a low drive, to level the sequalizerfter netting the equaliser, United pushed for a winning goal but nothing bore fruit at the end for the English giants, who have now won just one of their last eight UCL knockout games in Spain. Atleti will be disappointed to not take a win to Ol Trafford for the 2nd leg, and will hope to avoid going out to an English opposition once again at this stage of the tournament, having seen their UCL journey end last season in identical fashion to reigning European champions Chelsea.
