Manchester United came away from the first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano last night with a 1-1 draw, after scoring an equaliser 10 minutes from time.
Joao Felix fired the hosts into the lead in the 7th minute but Anthony Elanga made the most of a wonderful through ball to level the scoring not long before the full-time whistle.
Both sides are struggling domestically this season and see the Champions League as their last chance for glory this season, so it all comes down to the second leg at Old Trafford.
Atletico were the better side for much of the game, but their attacking threat quenched in the second half. They hit the post twice yet Simeone was satisfied with the draw.
“They took advantage of the only mistake in a very good match,” Simeone said, as per Marca. “Reinildo [Mandava] wanted to anticipate, although holding tight would have been a better option. The forwards’ job wasn’t easy but I’m left with a lot of good things. I have no doubts that this is the way.
“Almost everything we did in the game was very good,” the Argentine added. “It appears that they have the advantage, but nothing changes. Our goal was a very good action. A great cross from Lodi and a great finish from Joao. I’m leaving this game satisfied. We didn’t do enough to win but the tie is open.”
We have it all to do in the second leg but at half-time I was thinking that we’d be lucky to get out of there losing just 1-0. Atletico, like I said, came at us with less intensity but I wouldn’t say they sat off. It will be interesting to see how they approach the next leg of this fascinating tie.
