Manchester United saved a draw against Spanish champion Atletico Madrid after teenage substitute Anthony Elanga equalized for the Red Devils Manchester United just minutes after its introduction in the Champions match Wednesday.
Elanga calmly entered past keeper Jan Oblak with 10 minutes remaining a earn United a draw just deserved by extremely limited performance.
It took Atletico just seven minutes to open the scoring thanks to Joao Felix’s spectacular header, but failed to find a second goal and it was punished by 19-year-Old Elanga just five minutes after him left the bench.
United, fourth in the Premier League will now be slightly favored progress at the expense of Atletico – A disappointing fifth in La Liga – in the return of March 15th.
“We didn’t play the best football in the first halfma with replacements, us made in the second half we took a step up a little bit, “Elanga told BT Sport.
“(The manager Ralf Rangnick) told me just it scares the defenders and when I have a chance, take it. “
Elanga became the club’s youngest goalscorer ever in the knockout stages of the Champions League and has the honor of bagging United’s 500th goal in the European elite tournament.
I dreamed of moments like this, mark in the Champions, A big occasion like this against a European maximum team in Atletico Madrid, is a dream to come true”He said.
of Atletico goal it was a wonderful header in Felix dip, who it was lively everywhere in contrast with the Portuguese compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo.
The former real Madrid star he was hungry of service against his old rivals and spent a frustrating night.
But a superb one pass by Bruno Fernandes released Elanga and spared the blushes of the Rangnick under pressure.
“I do not know if I saved it (with the substitutions), “the German boss She said. “After performance in the first half could only get better. “
It could have been different still if it had a detour off United defender Victor Lindelof sneaked under rather than on the crossbar before half-time and Antoine Griezmann was also denied a delay winner from Woodwork, however, may have been slightly in offside.
“Almost everything we’ve done in the game we did really well, “said Atletico coach Diego Simeone. “You would think the advantage was with them, but with the away match, goal rule change is not like that “.
There is also all a play for in Amsterdam that night when Ajax and Benfica resumed after a 2-2 draw in Lisbon.
Dusan Tadic and Sebastien Haller – with his eleventh goal in seven Champions League in career games – twice put on Ajax in only in front for Same as Haller goal and Roman Yaremchuk a ensure the clash between the two former champions with six titles between them finished level.
“Every goal it is important and it is good that we have marked two, but in the second half we should I created more with our qualities “, Ajax captain Tadic told RTL7.
But him added: “We will have a full stage in Amsterdam and us know we can win. “
The Chelsea starters beat Lille 2-0 on Tuesday, when Juventus drew 1-1 at Villarreal. The first second legs take place on 8th of March.
