Atlético hits and resists at Old Trafford to continue dreaming in the Champions League

The Atletico Madrid Madrid conquered Old Trafford with a goal from Lodi but, above all, being Atlético de Madrid. He won at Old Trafford, where he showed his identity. Sacrifice, character, personality, commitment… he Nullified Manchester United (scaring away the ghosts of Cristiano, To the bad of some, who was eliminated for the first time in Europe), he struck when he should have done so and was planted in the quarterfinals. Among the eight best in the continent. Deserved award for the 3,000 mattress makers displaced to the English city. To dream.

The clash began evenly, with United pushing harder, as expected, but with Atlético well planted. Especially in defense, because in the center of the field he suffered. The high pressure from the English forced the Spanish to play long, almost always high, with the consequent little success of those actions with Joao and Griezmann above.

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The first to warn was Manchester, with a quick attack that culminated Elanga with a point-blank shot that saved cloud… with the head. On a night like this, the fact that the Slovenian was the one with the ‘miracles’ could be fundamental. And he made the first one before the quarter of an hour. he responded quickly From Paul with a great shot from outside the area before which he masterfully intervened De Geawith Old Trafford already seeing 0-1.

Then it was Dalotalso from afar, the one who tried cloud. And Atlético began to sing. Above all Boil, in the midfield, to give the team more outlet. So that he had more ball. AND Griezmann, perfectly reading the shock. The premises took the initiative, but the visiting danger began to glimpse. So much so that it marked joao felixbut the goal was annulled for offside by Llorente, which the captain had enabled. The action frustrated Atlético, but gave him more calm.

And in the next one he had, the goal was already worth it. From Paul he put it deep to Joaothat of heel I leave it to Griezmann. Pass from the Frenchman with the right and chopped header from Lodi at the second post. From then on, Manchester put pressure on the rest, with a distant but dangerous shot from Bruno Fernandesalready out of time, to which he responded again cloud.

The second act started off moving, with a cross shot from Elanga 45 seconds after a great drop by Bruno who went out a little. Atlético could not fall asleep for a moment, maintaining the plan from the start, although a little more ball would have come in handy. Maguire and De Gea awarded a ball to From Paul that the Argentine finished off from a distance to scare the locals, who continued to dominate in possession. But they did not generate much, except for a volley from Sancho. Of course, there was half an hour left. And that was a long time with that plan. Defend, yes, but with some against. If not… A mounted by Griezmann and Herrera and that ended with a pass from Lodi which did not reach Joao by millimeters. Gimenezwho was imperially overlooked, sent the header from the corner up.

Rangnick made a triple change, putting Rashford, Pogba and Matic in for Elanga, McTominay and Bruno. Then Cavani entered for fred. More wood. Simeone continued without moving the bench. And bombardment was coming. And it came. But there was Oblak. He first repelled Varane’s header, which he finished off on his own, and then caught Cristiano’s volley. Koke, melted, left his place Kondogbia. Time was running out for Atlético. He was flying to Manchester.

The Cholo gave entrance to Felipe (by Joao) to reinforce the aerial game in discount. Another miss. Another hanging ball. another clearance. And it is over. Atlético, to the quarterfinals. Among the eight best in Europe two years later, in a most irregular season, but which allows the mattress makers to continue dreaming after conquering another mythical feud of world football.

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