Manchester United 1-0 FC Copenhagen (AET): 5 Talking Points from United’s narrow win | UEFA Europa League 2019-20

#3 Heat plays a huge part

Tired legs, water breaks, and cramps were very visible on a very warm evening in Cologne

The inclusion of water breaks midway through each half in football post-lockdown has not been received very well in the community. There have been claims that they disrupt the flow of the game.

While coaches usually utilise that time to pass on a few key instructions, the water breaks in this match came as welcome respite to both sets of players. Their energy was visibly being sapped by the oppressive heat in Germany.

The effects of the heat became more and more visible as the game wore on as play became more stretched. But tired legs were unable to pick out incisive passes in the final third. The number of players going down with cramps also increased as the game went into extra time after a goalless 90 minutes.

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#4 One-legged knockout stages add a new dimension

Knockout ties that go into extra time after just one leg will still take some getting used to

There have been a number of major changes in the way football has been played worldwide since it returned from its lengthy absence. Increased substitutions, water breaks, and the absence of fans are just some of the new additions that players and fans have had to become accustomed to.

However, the knockout nature of European football has thrown a new tweak into the mix, with the advent of one-legged knockout rounds. With away goals and second legs out of the window, the footballing world got its first taste of extra time after just one leg for the first time in Europa League history.

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#5 Copenhagen goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson's inspired performance frustrated Manchester United

Johnsson was immense in goal for Copenhagen against Manchester United

It would be unfair to a spirited Copenhagen side to say that Manchester United dominated proceedings. But one major reason that the match went all the way to extra time was the performance of Copenhagen goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson.

Manchester United struck the woodwork twice and were denied a penalty and two goals due to offside calls. But it was due to Johnsson that the scoreline remained 1-0, or else Manchester United would've definitely scored more.

What. A. Save!🙌 Karl-Johan Johnsson#UEL pic.twitter.com/CXPAFEYmcm

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) August 10, 2020

To put Johnsson’s showing into perspective, Manchester United registered 14 shots on target, and Johnsson made 13 saves, the joint-most by a goalkeeper in a single Europa League game since the start of the competition in 2009.

It took a penalty for Manchester United to finally find a way past the Swede. He seemed unbeatable by any other means throughout the match, pulling off a variety of stunning saves to keep his side in the game.