In order to exploit United’s weaknesses, he must align his men on the counter game, Atletico coach Diego Simeone had already announced in advance. The Rojiblancos wanted to implement that in Old Trafford as well as only conditionally succeeded.
Because Manchester came in better and had more of the game, the first big chance was after 13 minutes: Elanga failed from a few meters to Oblak, who parried something happily with his head. In addition, however, the Red Devils were almost only through television shots – in this way de Paul also recorded Atleticos for a long time best chance (16th).
Atletico stands rarely, but effective
Because Rojiblancos in the 5-4-1 were used to stably defended, a fairly mobile Cristiano Ronaldo also brought little together – a plus possession of possession paid for United. The adapted concept of the guests proved to be skillful: precise needlesticks. After such a shot of Joao Felix still a distance position (34.), a little later Renan Lodi then refined a Madrider attack by head (41.).
Even without a awayator rule, there was now Advantage Atleti, and the Simeone-elf threw the concrete mixer. Shortly after the rest, Elanga still gave a dangerous low shot (46.), then the households were increasingly difficult. They mitigated from moments: A risky volley of Sancho did not fly over far on the Kreuzeck (59.).
Atletico changed clever between uniqueness and relieving, from managing the Colchoneros understand, after over a decade of Simeone, of course – even after several switching rangnicks. The time ran United, for which it goes in the league as for Atleti maximum still around the qualification for the upcoming CL season, but certainly about it.
“Fear Refrace” CR7 Defeated
If, then Manchester worried about standards for a murmur in the nervous Old Trafford. But Cristiano Ronaldo missed various free-kick flanks scarce (66., 73.), Varanes header parished obblak (77.). Hardly done out of the game, so that the compensation never really was in the air – and the Rojiblancos did not cheer evenly undeservedly.
For Simeone and Atletico, it was a rare triumph against “fear opponents” Cristiano Ronaldo, against whose team they had drawn the shorter in the premier class 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 (each Real Madrid) and 2019 (Juventus).