Atlético 1×1: Lodi shines the rockiest red-and-white version

Cloud: Atlético needed the best version of the Slovenian and found it. He saved with his face at 12 minutes Elanga’s shot from the small area that could be a slab for the team. Very confident on long shots, he had to act again with a good hand to Bruno Fernandes just before the break. In the second half he was very confident again, with a double hand to stop Varane and Cristiano, the Frenchman’s header being especially good. His two best games of the season, against Porto and Manchester United in two key Champions League games.

Savic: Very serious in defense against a striker with great individuals and an always dangerous Cristiano, who did not stop falling into that left sector of United’s attack. Ready to get ahead and strong in the air in the most reliable line of three central defenders that Simeone has. Between the Montenegrin, Giménez and Reinildo completely annulled the Portuguese.

Gimenez: He forced himself to be able to participate in a key game despite his soleus injury and was a wall in the aerial game, very important and a winner in Manchester United’s strategic plays, one of his great dangers. Titanic work of the Uruguayan, who if he has his great evil in injuries, is always pure courage and heart. He deserved a night like this after having had a bad time.

Reinildo: Very strong in melee duels. Sometimes he goes to the limit, but his intensity has been key to Atlético’s defensive recovery. An untouchable for Simeone due to his ability to improve Lodi, cover the arrivals from the left and block the incursions from the second line. Giant in the aerial game. Sticky as could be, quite a nuisance for the striker. It is not complicated with the ball. Great match for the Mozambican, his best performance as an athlete. He was not booked and may be in the first leg of the quarterfinals.

Llorente: Forced to play in the right lane due to the losses of Vrsaljko and Wass, the team missed him a lot in midfield, where he has physicality, arrival and the ability to cover a lot of the field. On his flank he was good, strong at the back and joining the attack whenever he could, repeating the play of the second goal against Betis that was annulled for a very small offside. He avoided the yellow card that brought him a sanction.

Lodi: Released with Reinildo behind and in that lane position, he has been at an enormous level for a month. And again he was decisive in front of goal, opening the scoring with his arrival from the second row to head Griezmann’s center into the net like a specialist. Quality in control to give air to the team and great work on his defensive wing, which was practically insurmountable for United. He stretched the team with the conditions of him doing a great job.

Herrera: In the first leg he had been escorted by Kondogbia and Llorente, two very physical players who allowed the pressure line to be thrown higher. With Koke and De Paul it was more difficult to cover the water in the first half hour, showing a more withdrawn Atlético. But the team got better with the ball when he began to carry out quick possessions, with the Mexican closing from the pivot and his two teammates approaching the area. And he left a fantastic second half, taking over the rhythm of the game, blocking the incursions of the English team and calming down with the ball.

Boil: The midfield began to suffer defensively against United’s arrivals and without time to cover. But he grew a lot with the ball as the minutes went by, generating long possessions and opening gaps. He ran into De Paul and they first generated a great disallowed goal and then Lodi’s header. Smart to appear in the playmaker. He asked for the busted change to run after a job from the captain.

From Paul: Very serious game of the Argentine. Strong in the melee and in a good version with the ball, being able to find Koke inside, long balls to the left wing and the inside delivery for Joaõ Félix in the play of Lodi’s goal. It was improving with the passing of the minutes until it became more and more important. He looked for the goal with a good shot deflected by De Gea.

Griezmann: Big game that asked for the best Griezmann. And he started very active, smart to move and cooperative in defense to help the midfield and get numerical superiority. He first left his face with his back to De Paul and then received a backheel from João to put a cross to Lodi’s head. Great job outlining the right wing, without stopping collaborating with Llorente. Few football stars sacrifice themselves like the Frenchman.

Joao Felix: He returned to exercise as a spearhead, that position of false ‘9’ to which he is adapting so well. And he repeated his second goal against Betis, taking advantage of Llorente’s center in an action invalidated by a very fair offside by the Madrilenian. An uncheck into space and a magic backheel for Griezmann preceded the action of Lodi’s goal. He was losing fuel and ended up very tired, being replaced by Felipe after some lack of exhaustion and that in the case of seeing the yellow card, it meant the sanction.

Simeone did not need to move the team

Kondogbia: He returned from injury to participate in the last ten minutes of the game and maintain the intensity and strength in the middle.

Felipe: He entered for João Félix in the last minuet to try to put more aerial power.

Correa: He entered to play the last two minutes. His season deserves more, but the team did a colossal job.