Anthony Elanga scored as a substitute for Manchester United for the second time in four days to rescue a Champions League draw at Atletico Madrid.
The teenage forward netted in United’s victory at Leeds on Sunday having coming on as a second half substitute and repeated the trick at the Wanda Metropolitano.
It helped save Ralf Rangnick’s side after a timid performance for which they were second best for long spells against the hosts, who took the lead early on through Joao Felix’s header.
Felix headed the home side into the lead in just the seventh minute, losing marker Harry Maguire before combining placement with power in an emphatic finish – with the ball rattling one post before running across the goal-line and into the other side of the net.
Sime Vrsaljko and Antoine Griezmann both rattled the post for Atletico – who produced arguably their best performance of the campaign, but could not find a second goal.
Elanga shines again
Anthony Elanga was the Manchester United fall guy as they exited the FA Cup with a penalty shootout defeat against Middlesbrough, as he blazed his effort over the bar.
The teenager could easily have suffered a notable confidence set back but his response has been hugely responsive.
The Swede helped change the game in United’s win at Leeds on Sunday as he netted the fourth goal in the victory, before having an even bigger impact at Atletico.
Have Your Say! Do Man Utd hold the advantage after the first leg vs Atletico Madrid? Tell us what you think here.
The forward replaced the ineffective Marcus Rashford in the 75 th minute and within five minutes hit the leveller with United’s first effort on target in the game.
Elanga found space on the right before showing great composure to fire past Jan Oblak.
Ronaldo isolated
Much of the pre-match talk centred on Cristiano Ronaldo and his return to the Spanish capital to take on Atletico Madrid.
The Portuguese superstar had netted 25 career goals against Diego Simeone’s side – more than any other team in his career, aside from Sevilla.
Ronaldo had so often been Atleti’s nemesis in the Champions League – even scoring a hat-trick for Juventus against Simeone’s team in 2019 – and had spearheaded United’s progress in the group stage, netting six times.
The Portuguese forward cut a frustrated figure throughout and had to drop deep to get involved in proceedings, meaning he was unable to be where he is strongest.
United cannot handle the press
Manchester United enjoyed the lion’s share of possession during the encounter, but only because Atletico Madrid allowed them to.
The hosts were happy to hold their shape and then press as a collective against United in the right areas, with plenty of success.
United’s inability to create chances and build from deep was highlighted by the fact they did not even touch the ball in Atletico’s penalty area at any point during the first half.
This was the first time that the Red Devils had failed to do so in the opening half of a match in the Champions League since the 2005/06 campaign – a whopping 16 years ago.
Former United midfielder Paul Scholes said on BT Sport during the break: "I think they’ve been bullied, physically. They weren’t ready for Atletico coming out and being all over them, really against them."
Lindelof selection surprise
The one eyebrow-raising selection made by Ralf Rangnick for this tie was his selection of Victor Lindelof along with Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane.
There was no shortage of pre-match debate as to whether United would go with an approach of three central defenders, but Lindelof was played at right-back in a back four.
It was a curious selection with specialist right-backs Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka both in the matchday squad, and the Sweden international unsurprisingly struggled in his unfamiliar role.
Indeed, Atleti’s opening goal from Joao Felix came from a Renan Lodi cross down that flank while the Brazilian provided another delivery for Sime Vrsaljko to rattle the post late in the first half.
Lindelof was eventually taken off midway through the second half, having been booked, with Wan-Bissaka his replacement.
Atletico fortress
Wednesday night was Atletico Madrid’s 14 th Champions League 'home' knockout matches in Madrid under Diego Simeone (they played against Chelsea in Bucharest last season due to Covid travel restrictions).
Not only were they undefeated in that run – which started at their old Vicente Calderon home – but they have conceded just twice in those 13 outings.
This is a stage in which they thrive and despite their alarming defensive issues this campaign, this was always going to be a different scenario.
This was United’s first visit to the modern and incredibly impressive Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
