MADRID (Reuters) -A late aim from substitute Anthony Elanga rescued a 1-1 draw for Manchester United at Atletico Madrid of their Champions League last-16 first-leg conflict on Wednesday.
United, wanting disjointed and missing spark, have been cornered from the beginning by a relentless Atleti, who opened the scoring after seven minutes with an excellent header by Joao Felix from Renan Lodi’s cross.
Atletico had many alternatives to increase their lead and hit the put up twice however have been punished by a defensive mistake which gifted the ball to Bruno Fernandes 10 minutes from time.
The Portuguese playmaker discovered Elanga behind the defensive position and the 19-year-old striker scored with a exact cross shot, certainly one of solely two United efforts on course in the entire sport.
United confronted a hostile ambiance at Metropolitano stadium as the house followers packed the sold-out venue and cheered loudly as their workforce make a quick begin.
“Looking at the sport, the way in which it was, we now have to really feel actually pleased with the end result,” United supervisor Ralf Rangnick instructed a information convention.
“After the efficiency within the first half it might solely get higher. What we performed within the first half – I nonetheless can’t imagine it. We performed with out conviction and the required aggression in opposition to the ball. That’s why we have been actually struggling.”
Atletico suffocated United’s defence with a fierce excessive urgent sport and dominated the ball with virtually 70% of possession.
The Premier League facet didn’t register a shot on course within the first half and the hosts virtually prolonged their lead simply earlier than halftime when Sime Vrsaljko’s header struck the crossbar.
With his workforce failing to interrupt down Atleti’s compact defensive strains, Rangnick made 4 substitutions, changing Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford with Alex Telles and Elanga who got here up with the equaliser.
Atletico substitute Antoine Griezmann almost grabbed a late winner for the hosts however his shot from contained in the field hit the put up.
“We will not be completely happy as a result of it was not show of soccer from us, however we’re sturdy at residence and we imagine we are able to enhance within the second leg, win and advance,” Telles instructed a information convention.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas, enhancing by Ed Osmond)
