Heavyweight contenders in ropes looking for salvage as Atleti meet United
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 23.02.22. | 14:41
Far from the expected performances in their domestic competitions, both sides are looking to improve the image with this Champions League round of 16 tie
This is not their season by all means.
Atletico Madrid and Manchester United are heading towards tonight's UCL 1/8 finals tie with a lot of hope - not for the importance of such a fixture, and it truly is much more than a regular game, but for a chance to save this dreadful season with the successful Champions League campaign.
ATLETICO MADRID - MANCHESTER UNITED
Los Colchoneros are still reigning champions of Spain, but sitting at 5th place, 15 points of the table-toppers Real Madrid is worse than a nightmare for Diego Simeone's slot. Tons of ups and downs have seen Atleti going hand in hand with those modest LaLiga squads which concede at least three goals per game. And that is as far from Cholo's football philosophy as possible. With that said, it's obvious the prolific Argentine tactician has been struggling to impose his tactics and ideas in the last couple of weeks.
After years of extraordinary results - especially before 2020 - the red and whites are overwhelmed with low spirits and miles away from the previous courageous, die-hard mentality.
On the other hand, what to say about Man Utd then? Their interim manager Ralf Rangnick admitted the team is nowhere near the desired level, reflecting on their Premier League displays. Fourth place - tens of points behind their city rivals on the top - seems rather disappointing, especially after the return of much-loved Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford.
When Cristiano Ronaldo faced Off Atletico Madrid in UCL knock-outs. pic.twitter.com/EsHODgXlkb
— ً (@erlingtxt) February 22, 2022
Tonight, at the Wanda Metropolitano, the Red Devils will be considered as slight underdogs. That, a bit awkward and not too often role for the side of their status, might be just what they need to shine on the big stage. Not living up to expectations has been a day-to-day issue since Rangnick's arrival, and if they top Atletico, tables could turn for the United's coach and his crew.
Cristiano Ronaldo has never been eliminated by Atletico Madrid from UCL.
— The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) February 23, 2022
✅ 2014 Final (⚽🅰️)
✅ 2015 Quarter-final (🅰️)
✅ 2016 Final
✅ 2017 Semi-final (⚽⚽⚽)
✅ 2019 Round of 16 (⚽⚽⚽)
He defeated them in every knockout stage 🔥 pic.twitter.com/93lrR8zAQb
Finally, this match will be memorable for one specific player - David de Gea, United's shot-stopper, is returning home. After spending more than eight years at Atleti, where he marched through the entire youth academy before involving with the senior squad between 2009 and 2011, he went directly to United 11 years ago.
De Gea in action for Atleti against Barcelona in 2011 (©REUTERS/Albert Gea)This will be his very first chance to demonstrate how good he really is and has been and how unfair it was from his boyhood club not to provide him with a deserved opportunity.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
1/8 finals
Tuesday
Chelsea - Lille 2-0 (1-0)
/Havertz 8 - Pulisic 63/
Villareal - Juventus 1-1 (0-1)
/Parejo 66 - Vlahovic 1/
Wednesday
23:00: (4.20) Benfica (3.70) Ajax (1.92)
23:00: (2.65) Atl.Madrid (3.05) Man.Utd. (3.05)
***odds are subject to change
