A win that bring us to the quarterfinals
Lodi's goal in the final stretch of the first half was decisive and worth its weight in gold to seal a place in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Our team took the field at Old Trafford with very clear ideas. The team played with the lines very close together, without leaving spaces, with an extraordinary work of all the players, both when defending and attacking. However, the first chance of the game was for the English team, with a shot by Elanga that Oblak saved with his head after the first quarter of an hour. The response was not long in coming, and De Paul's shot was deflected for a corner by De Gea, who saved his team's goal with a saving hand.
Manchester United tried from distance, as they could not find many openings and Dalot's long-range shot was saved by Oblak midway through the first half. A good play by Koke, who filtered a pass to Llorente's run and his cross was headed into the net by João Félix in the 34th minute. The assistant's flag was raised and the VAR ratified the decision, disallowing the goal. But it was the prelude to the goal that was to be scored. In the 41st minute, João Félix back-heeled the ball to Griezmann, who appeared on the right and right-footed the ball to the far post for the head of Lodi, who, with a flick of the ball, put the ball near the right post of De Gea's goal.
Just before the break, Bruno Fernandes, again from distance, tried to surprise Oblak but the Slovenian deflected to the corner with a prodigious hand. With the score at 0-1, the game went to the break.
The second half began with the same tone as in the first, with Atlético firm in defense and looking for the second goal early to have increased the lead. In the 52nd minute, De Paul's long-range shot was saved by De Gea. And, midway through the second half, João Félix served a deep ball to Griezmann, who chipped the ball over the goal of the former red and white De Gea. Manchester United had their last chance in the 77th minute, with a header by Varane from a corner kick that was cleared by Oblak, and Cristiano Ronaldo's subsequent shot was saved by our goalkeeper.
There were no more chances until the end, with Atletico being superior and controlling the ball and the tempo of the match to seal the pass to the quarterfinals. On Saturday, the next match, already in LaLiga, against Rayo Vallecano in Vallecas.
