It was an evenly matched contest on paper as no one knew what would happen between the 4 teams who played yesterday night. On paper, we don't know how the games would play out given the forms of Atletico and Man United. The same goes for Benfica and also Ajax because both are good teams, on their days.
Manchester United played a draw against Atletico but a lot would argue that Atletico deserved this win. Manchester United managed to score a goal but it's only a draw and the away goal rule won't count because it has been abolished. Now, it requires only a win from any of them to qualify for the next round.
Manchester United were shambolic as we have seen them be over the season and they haven't been convincing in any of their games this season without so many grey areas being highlighted. Atletico Madrid might have themselves to blame if Manchester United wins the second leg of the game in 3 weeks due to the missed chances that trailed their performance yesterday night.
J. Felix gave Atletico the lead very early in the game and the frustration couldn't be hidden as you saw United players throwing their heads down because it promised to be another long night. They were lucky that Atletico were unlucky because this tie would have been over; dead and buried in the first leg even before a ball has been kicked for the second leg.
Manchester United have Anthony Elanga to thank for scoring 5 minutes after he came on to replace the ineffective Rashford. Rashford did nothing in the entirety of the match and it wasn't just him, the whole team was terrible as they crumbled under the intensity of Atletico's pressure. They lost rhythm, lacked pressure and were outclassed. If United play the way they did yesterday night and Atletico got luck riding in their favour for the second leg, United can bid the knockout phase goodbye but we would have to wait and see.
Benfica hosted Ajax in the other game but at this stage of the competition, they have only lost once at home at knock out rounds after playing 9 times. They won 4, drew 4 and then lost only once and that was against Chelsea back in the 2011/2012 Quarter-Final encounter.
Ajax on the other hand, under this coach; Erik Ten Hag, have only lost one of their 16 away games in the Champions League and Liverpool were the ones who heaped that defeat on them in the group stage in 2020. This is the first time ever under the UEFA Champions League that a team from Portugal would be playing against a team from the Netherlands at this stage of the competition.
It was an evenly contested affair between these two sides. They both played well going forward and also defending but the goalkeeper was culpable for the first goal which Ajax scored after his poor clearance allowed Ajax to gain possession of the ball and Tadic was found lurking inside the box too. He produced a decent finish inside the box as a captain should.
Vertonghen, playing against his former club, the former Tottenham man as well lost his marker and put the ball into the box but Haller was unlucky to get a touch to it as the ball went in. It was Haller's own goal that brought Benfica back into the tie.
It was a funny game as Haller and Vertonghen were both involved in the goal that gave Ajax the lead after just 4 minutes. Vertonghen tried to block off Haller but his feet only knocked the ball back into the path of Haller who lost Vertonghen and placed the ball into the net. Haller scored at both ends of the pitch within the space of 4 minutes. He managed to put his own goal behind him and he responded brilliantly to give Ajax back the lead.
Benfica got more chances in the game to be fair and they would have scored more if not for slight deflections here and there. Their moment finally came after Ramos' shot was stopped by the goalkeeper but Roman Yaremchuk was fast enough to get to the rebound and he headed it home. The game rounded up the second draw we were treated to in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
These games are completely open and anyone could advance to the next stage of the competition between Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Benfica and Ajax. In 3 weeks we would know those who have wanted it the most between these teams.
Cheers.
Gingered Up! ❣️
