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Atletico Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie by Manchester United on Wednesday night. The Red Devils trailed for much of the game, courtesy of Joao Felix's early goal, before substitute Anthony Elanga leveled the score in the 73rd minute.
It was the hosts' game to lose for long stretches of the game as United often looked clueless and could not find the decisive touch in the final third. Atletico Madrid bagged the lead in the seventh minute as Felix headed in Renan Lodi's cross, which he whipped in after picking up on clearance following a corner.
The hosts kicked off the game intending to score early and had an attempt blocked in just the third minute following a corner. Atletico Madrid continued to dominate the game after taking an early lead and also managed to hit the crossbar just before the half-time whistle.
United, on the other hand, failed to make the most of their possession and never looked in a position to equalize here. However, Elanga made an instant impact as he capitalized on an Atletico error and leveled the scoring just five minutes after coming on to the pitch.
The Rojiblancos came close to taking the lead again in the final five minutes. However, Antoine Griezmann's left-footed curler cannoned back off the crossbar.
Here are the key talking points from the match:
#5 Manchester United produce an underwhelming first-half display
Things just didn't click for the visiting side in the first 45 minutes of the game. Ralf Rangnick would've breathed a sigh of relief at the half-time whistle as his side were in dire need of regrouping to get back into the game.
They failed to register a single touch in the Atletico box and had to wait until quite some time for their first shot on goal. The Red Devils also conceded an early goal which resulted from their inability to deal with a corner and almost conceded another one following a routine free-kick.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo's much-awaited return to Madrid ends in a flop show
Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United's top scorer in the Champions League this season, came up short against the La Liga outfit. Both his shots on goal were off-target and he blasted his effort from a free-kick in a promising position over the bar in the second half.
It was only the fourth time in 36 matches that the Portuguese forward failed to score, assist or win while playing against Atletico Madrid.
However, the last time he failed to score against the hosts in the competition, he followed it up by scoring a hat-trick in the second leg while at Juventus. He and the Red Devils might very well be able to redeem themselves at Old Trafford in March.
#3 Anthony Elanga makes an instant impact to thwart Atletico Madrid
Anthony Elanga helped Manchester United claw themselves back into the game with one of his first touches after coming on for Marcus Rashford in the 75th minute
Just five minutes after Elanga's introduction, Bruno Fernandes threaded a deft pass for him on a quick counterattack. He found himself one-on-one with Jan Oblak, one of the best goalkeepers in the world after a failed challenge by one of the Atletico defenders.
He kept his calm and beat the keeper from close range as United scored from their first shot on target. In scoring the equalizing goal, Elanga also became the club's youngest goalscorer in the Champions League, aged just 19 years and 302 days.
#2 Ralf Rangnick's gamble to play Victor Lindelof at right-back fails
Victor Lindelof is a good defender on his day but having started in an unfamiliar position in the game, he struggled to produce what was expected of him. Ralf Rangnick opted for a strong starting XI against Atletico Madrid, so his decision to play the Swedish defender at right-back was a bit strange.
The manager even conceded in the post-match interview that deploying him out wide was not the right choice in the game. While Lindelof can be useful with his aerial prowess and reading of the game, he found himself chasing Renan Lodi with little success on the flanks in this match.
The Brazilian left-back was in great form and picked up the assist for Felix's opener following a clearance from Lindelof. Reinildo Mandava's overlapping runs also caused a lot of problems for the Swede.
The Red Devils are likely to benefit more if they start a specialist at right-back in the second leg at Old Trafford. If Rangnick does want to play Lindelof to add to his side's defensive solidity, he may have to shift to a three-man defense.
#1 Bruno Fernandes picks up yet another crucial assist for Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes created yet another goal for Manchester United in this game as he extended his lead atop the assists charts in this season's Champions League. The Portuguese midfielder has not been in top form in the ongoing campaign but still remains a vital cog in the Red Devils machine.
He has now provided an assist in every match he has played in the competition this term and has been one of United's best players. Fernandes currently has seven assists from six Champions League matches, though he is yet to open his goal account.
Apart from recording an assist, Fernandes also contributed defensively against Atletico Madrid, making six recoveries and two clearances.
