SportsLate Elanga Goal Helps Man Utd Draw Atletico 1-1 In First Leg...

Late Elanga Goal Helps Man Utd Draw Atletico 1-1 In First Leg Of Last 16 UCL Tie

February 24, (THEWILL) – Manchester United drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 fixture on Wednesday night in Madrid, thanks to a late Anthony Elanga goal.

The defending Spanish champions, who have let their title slip this season, came out firing in this tie. From the start, Atletico pressed their slumbering opponents and got their second corner in seven minutes as a result of their proactive play.

The set piece fell to Renan Lodi after Manchester United could only half-clear it. Joao Felix sneaked between Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane as Lodi returned the ball into the area, tossing his head towards the ferocious cross that he redirected past a stunned David de Gea.

Glo

With a lead to defend, Atletico Madrid allowed Manchester United the lion’s share of possession, but only in the most non-threatening of situations. Diego Simeone’s side morphed between a 4-4-2 and a 5-3-2 formation depending on how far the Red Devils advanced into their danger area.

As the game progressed, Atletico contained Ralf Rangnick’s visitors inside their own half for lengthy swaths of the first half, denying them a single shot on goal or touch in the opposition box by picking their chances to pounce on United’s woefully imprecise passing.

Lodi scooted down the byline on the edge of halftime to bamboozle the visitors by a familiar set piece routine and Sime Vrsaljko, his opposite wingback, diverted another cross into the box onto the underside of the crossbar via Victor Lindelof’s face.

After the break, United barely improved, while Atletico failed to capitalise on their lead in a game with few clear-cut chances. For some inexplicable reason, Simeone’s charges progressively retreated deeper into their own half.

With the game in its last ten minutes, that proved costly as United equalised through second-half substitute Elanga, who led a clinical breakaway with their first shot on target of the game.

In the 86th minute, Antoine Griezmann was denied by the crossbar as United managed to emerge from the Wanda Metropolitano with a share of the spoils and the opportunity to get one over the La Liga champions in the reverse tie at Old Trafford in just over three weeks.

Prior to that, both teams will be focused on domestic matters, with Atletico facing Celta Vigo in La Liga and United hosting Watford in the Premier League.

About the Author

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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.

Jude Obafemi, THEWILLhttps://thewillnews.com
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.

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