Reactions, controversies, analysis and comments on M. United – Atlético | Champions League

Ties. Atlético have started nine European two-legged ties with a draw at home, winning five (Galatasaray in 1973, Celtic in 1986, Galatasaray in 2010, Sporting in 2010 and Chelsea in 2014) and falling in four (Dortmund in 1966, Lens in 2000, Porto in 2009 and Real Madrid in 2015). None were decided on penalties, something that is now more likely with the change in the tie-breaking criteria.

Penalties. If necessary, these are the statistics of both in penalty shootouts in European competitions: Manchester United have won one (Chelsea in 2008) and lost three (Videoton in 1985, Torpedo Moscow in 1992 and Villarreal in 2021), while Atlético overcame two (Leverkusen in 2015 and PSV in 2016) and fell in four (Derby County in 1974, Fiorentina in 1989, Villarreal in 2004 and Real Madrid in 2016).

Factor Old Trafford. United have played a European second leg at home 18 times after drawing in the first leg and qualified thirteen times (72%). They were only eliminated by the Russian Rotor in 1995 (2-2 at Old Trafford and qualifying on the away goal criterion), Monaco in 1998 (1-1 and, again, elimination of the locals due to the higher value of the away goal ), Real Madrid in 2000 (2-3) and in 2013 (1-2) and Sevilla in 2018 (1-2).

Precedents. Atlético have only played Manchester United once at Old Trafford. It was on November 6, 1991 and the match ended 1-1 (goals from Hughes and Schuster). The red and white record as a visitor in England is three wins (0-2 at Leicester in 1997, 1-3 at Stamford Bridge in 2014 and 2-3 at Anfield in 2020), seven draws and five losses in 15 games.

In England. Atlético has played eight second-leg games on English soil and was eliminated in only one. He played against Manchester United in 1991, Leicester in 1997, Aston Villa in 1998, Liverpool in 2010, Chelsea in 2014, Leicester in 2017 and Liverpool in 2020 and only lost to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season.

LaLiga. Spanish clubs have played 28 away games at Old Trafford, totaling six wins, twelve draws and ten losses. Only Real Madrid (2-3 in 2000 and 1-2 in 2013), Deportivo (2-3 in 2001), Athletic (2-3 in 2012), Sevilla (1 -2 in 2018) and Barcelona (0-1 in 2019).

The black beast. Cristiano has scored 25 goals in 36 official matches against Atlético, second favorite victim, only behind Sevilla (27 goals in 18 games). The only one in the history of football who has scored more goals against him is Messi (32 in 43 games). Cristiano had only scored one goal (against Brighton) in his first ten official matches of 2022 (his worst scoring start in a calendar year since 2004), but on Saturday he took advantage of the duel against one of his favorite rivals (Tottenham) to continue increasing his incomparable scoring account.

round cipher. Enrique Cerezo will celebrate 1,000 official matches today as president of Atlético. He made his debut in Deportivo 3-2 Atlético, played on June 1, 2003 at Riazor. He is the first president of the rojiblanco club to reach a thousand games, with Vicente Calderón (966) and Jesús Gil (754), his predecessor in office, being closer to that figure.

Palmares. To date, Cerezo has added 518 wins, 239 draws, 242 losses, 1,574 goals for and 961 against, winning ten official titles: Europa League 2009-10, European Super Cup 2010, Europa League 2011-12, European Super Cup 2012, Copa del Rey 2012-13, League 2013-14, Spanish Super Cup 2014, Europa League 2017-18, European Super Cup 2018 and League 2020-21.

figures. During Cerezo’s mandate, Atlético has ten coaches (Luis Aragonés, Gregorio Manzano, César Ferrando, Carlos Bianchi, Pepe Murcia, Javier Aguirre, Abel Resino, Santi Denia, Quique Sánchez Flores, again Gregorio Manzano and Diego Simeone), Koke is the player with the most appearances (533) and Griezmann, the one who has scored the most goals (138).