Manchester United’s Champions League quest came to an abrupt end with a defeat at Old Trafford to Atletico Madrid, leaving united with only a Premier League top-four spot to contend for this season.
Renan Lodi’s distant header four minutes until half-time sent the Spanish champions into the last eight. Ralf Rangnick’s side was not short on effort but appears to lack the guile to break down Atletico’s trademark resilience.
United held possession for much of the second half, but Atletico developed a defensive wall of resistance – and then when they did menace, goalkeeper Jan Oblak offered the ultimate line of defence. He made a wonderful save in front of the Stretford End from Raphael Varane’s header, leaving United to fight for a spot in the next season’s Champions League in the closing games of the domestic season.
Manchester United followed the lead of so many other teams who have succumbed at the hands of Diego Simeone’s extraordinarily durable Atletico machine.
United put in a lot of endeavours and had Old Trafford rolling with a high-intensity start, but they ran out of ideas and inspiration as the game progressed, with Atletico burrowing in and defending with the same zeal they’ve shown in the past.
Rangnick and United’s hopelessness was outlined when struggling capt Harry Maguire was removed by veteran Juan Mata. Cristiano Ronaldo made several classic early touches, but he was a perivascular figure hard before the end.
United was also furious by Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic’s poor judging, particularly when they believed Anthony Elanga had been fouled shortly before Lodi appeared unmarked at the far post to head back home Antoine Griezmann’s cross.
Simeone pulls it off once again. After Atletico Madrid won at Anfield at this stage two years ago, Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp felt the same way, and while La Liga’s champions aren’t amongst Champions League favourites, no one wishes to be matched with them. They have players that can offer a class in attack, and they have one of the finest goalkeepers in the world in Oblak.
