Cristiano Ronaldo struggled on his return to Madrid, but Anthony Elanga came to Manchester United’s rescue as they held Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw.
Atletico Madrid started the game off with great intensity as they pressed and harried Manchester United from the off, with the Red Devils looking all over the place. The early pressure paid off when Renan Lodi curled in a brilliant cross for Joao Felix to power home a header and make it 1-0 just seven minutes in.
Atleti kept up the pressure on their visitors, hardly allowing them any breathing room as Ralf Rangnick’s men spent the majority of the first half pinned into their own territory. The La Liga champions came ever so close to doubling their lead on the cusp of half-time after another cross from the left found its way to Sime Vrsaljko, but his effort, deflecting off of Victor Lindelof, hit the crossbar and bounced out.
Manchester United came out with a bit more intent in the second half, although the chances were not coming freely as Atletico managed to hold on to their lead without posing as big a threat as they were doing in the first period. However, Ralf Rangnick’s men continued to grow with time and finally managed to strike back in the 80th minute through substitute Anthony Elanga’s composed finish.
Atletico were denied again by the woodwork soon after as Antoine Griezmann’s brilliant effort, which had everyone beaten, hit the crossbar. Manchester United managed to come away with a draw from the Wanda Metropolitano, with the second leg of the Champions League Round-of-16 tie set to be played at Old Trafford next month. Here are our ratings for both sets of players.
Atletico Madrid Player Ratings
Jan Oblak: 5/10
Captaining Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, the Slovenian international had a largely quiet affair for the most part, with Manchester United barely threatening. However, he was beaten by Elanga in a 1v1 situation for the equaliser. Oblak did make a save late on to deny Jesse Lingard.
Sime Vrsaljko: 6/10
The Atletico Madrid right-back was not troubled a great deal defensively on the night, with Manchester United forwards being largely subdued. However, he was a bit sloppy with the ball at his feet and should have done better with the deflected header that hit the woodwork in the first half.
Stefan Savic: 7/10
The former Manchester City defender looked up for the challenge from the get-go and dealt with whatever came his way with ease. Savic was never really put under great pressure by the visitors but managed to keep things tight at the back when needed.
Jose Maria Gimenez: 6.5/10
A yellow card for dissent was the only blemish on the night for the Uruguayan defender, who was calm and composed at the heart of the Atleti backline. Gimenez did his defensive duties without any fuss and distributed the ball well from the back.
Reinildo Mandava: 6/10
The January signing came up with several interventions to keep Manchester United from advancing on his side. However, his mistimed challenge left Elanga with just Oblak to beat for the equaliser.
Renan Lodi: 8/10
Renan Lodi’s first half by numbers vs Man Utd:
100% tackles won
100% long balls completed
83% pass accuracy
24 touches
4 attempted crosses
2 completed crosses
3 chances created
1 foul drawn
1 big chance created
1 assistDominating the left flank. ?? pic.twitter.com/HMeT8cgHDN
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 23, 2022
The Brazilian was in his elements on the night as he made the most of the space afforded to him by Manchester United out wide. Lodi delivered a stunning cross to set Joao Felix up for the opening goal and continued to cause problems to the visitors’ backline with his forays.
Marcos Llorente: 6.5/10
The Spanish international was not involved in the thick of things as most of Atletico’s attacks came on the left. But every time he did get on the ball, Llorente showed purpose and intent to drive forward, while his industry off the ball was key to putting the opponents under pressure.
Geoffrey Kondogbia: 8/10
He absolutely dominated the midfield areas, especially in the first half, when Manchester United could not get past him. The former Inter Milan midfielder broke up play intelligently, pressed his opposition with aggression and made incisive passes forward while not being afraid to push forward himself.
Hector Herrera: 6.5/10
The Mexican midfielder was key to maintaining the pressure on the visiting team from the off as he was aggressive in his approach and harried them on every possible occasion. As a result, he did give away some cheap fouls and was booked but kept his discipline for most of the game.
Angel Correa: 6/10
The in-form forward hounded the Manchester United defenders to try and force mistakes and showed good energy throughout. However, he could not pose much of a goal threat on the night.
Joao Felix: 8/10
?| OFFICIAL: João Félix has been awarded with the Man of the Match award. pic.twitter.com/5WiSbbMSLe
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) February 23, 2022
The Portuguese international troubled the Manchester United players a great deal as they could not cope with his sharp movement. Felix made a great run past Harry Maguire to get on the end of Lodi’s cross and put Atletico in front. While he may not have added more to his tally, he worked his socks off and was taken off to a rousing ovation.
SUBSTITUTES
Thomas Lemar: N/A
On for Lodi in the 76th minute. Not much impact.
Antoine Griezmann: N/A
Griezmann replaced Felix with less than 15 minutes left. Hit the woodwork late on.
Manchester United Player Ratings
David de Gea: 5/10
The former Atletico Madrid did not look convincing at all against his ex-club. While he had no chance of stopping Felix’s headed effort, De Gea did not inspire any confidence at the back with his reluctance to come out and collect crosses, whereas he almost gifted the hosts a chance with a botched goal-kick to Raphael Varane.
Victor Lindelof: 5/10
He was picked at right-back ahead of Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and the gamble did not pay off. Atletico Madrid’s best chances came down his flank as Lindelof struggled to contain Lodi. Apart from a key challenge to deny a goalscoring chance early on, the Swede did little of note.
Raphael Varane: 6/10
Raphael Varane’s game by numbers vs Atletico Madrid:
100% aerial duels won
75% duels won
87% pass accuracy
78 touches
10 attempted long balls
7 successful long balls
5 clearances
5 ball recoveries
1 block
1 interceptionChampions League Varane. ??? pic.twitter.com/w8xlmHr4Rw
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 23, 2022
Reinstated to the starting XI, Varane was jeered by the Atletico Madrid supporters, given his past allegiance to their cross-town rivals. The Frenchman never really looked composed enough on the night and was part of the problem in the first half when Atletico dominated. Showed a great improvement after the break and ended the game with five clearances and five ball recoveries.
Harry Maguire: 5/10
The Manchester United captain allowed Joao Felix to get across him way too easily for the opening goal of the game. His passing from the back was sloppy on many occasions, although he improved in the latter stages and made a few important clearances. Question marks continue to remain over his quality and suitability at this level.
Luke Shaw: 5/10
Preferred over Alex Telles yet again, the England international hardly had any impact on the proceedings against Atletico Madrid. While he was not troubled defensively, Shaw failed to offer anything going forward.
Bruno Fernandes: 5/10
Like most of the team in the first half, Bruno Fernandes was extremely sloppy on the ball and gave away possession in dangerous areas on more than one occasion. His passing was erratic, and he grew very agitated with things not going his team’s way. However, he held his composure to set Elanga up for the crucial equaliser late in the contest.
Bruno Fernandes has now provided 7 assists in his 6 Champions League appearances this season ?#UCL pic.twitter.com/HY2RI1b8rd
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 23, 2022
Fred: 5/10
The Brazilian found himself slotting in the No. 6 role due to Scott McTominay’s absence and struggled a great deal. Fred could not get tight enough to Lodi to stop him from crossing for the opener and was consistently sloppy in possession as he struggled to cope with Atletico’s press. There was no lack of effort from the Brazilian, but he did not get adequate support from those around him.
Paul Pogba: 4/10
It was a poor outing from the Frenchman, who just could not get going on Wednesday night. Pogba was caught dallying on the ball on way too many occasions while he left a lot to be desired with his off-the-ball efforts, failing to get close to his Atletico Madrid counterparts.
Marcus Rashford: 4/10
Another night to forget for Marcus Rashford. The England international did not look like causing any problems to the Atletico Madrid defence throughout his stay on the pitch. He hardly created anything of note and failed to test the goalkeeper himself before being subbed off.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 4/10
Tough night for Ronaldo ? pic.twitter.com/v3mfF3Xn1P
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 23, 2022
Much was made about Cristiano Ronaldo’s record and past heroics against Atletico Madrid in the buildup to the game. However, it was another lacklustre performance from the 37-year-old superstar, who was starved of service yet again and was largely a peripheral figure. The Portuguese maverick had one or two speculative efforts that led to nothing.
SUBSTITUTES
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 6/10
He came on for Lindelof in the 66th minute and tightened things up on his side.
Nemanja Matic: 6/10
Replaced Pogba in the 66th minute and added some balance and steel to the Manchester United midfield.
Alex Telles: 6/10
Came on in place of Shaw with a little over 20 minutes left. He battled hard and was booked.
Anthony Elanga: 8/10
Anthony Elanga: “I’m always calm. I think that was my first touch as well! I've dreamt of moments like this”, he told BT. ? #MUFC
“Whenever I get a chance for the club I want to repay the manager. I want to be the best player I can be on the pitch. I appreciate the boss”. pic.twitter.com/w5a3c9UROA
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 23, 2022
He came on for Rashford in the 75th minute and sparked things into life with his intent and energy that was severely lacking on the pitch. Elanga held his composure to beat Jan Oblak after being played in by Bruno Fernandes to salvage a draw for his team. The Swedish teenager needs to start more regularly based on his impact off the bench in recent games.
Jesse Lingard: N/A
On for Sancho with less than ten minutes left. Lingard almost won it with a late shot that was saved.
