Authoritative and at times brilliant, Atlético added its first victory in this Champions League at the expense of Manchester United, an irregular and inconsistent point to win when it controlled the match. In part, because Oblak made three goal saves.
Atlético broke the game one minute into the game. And he did it with the square, the bevel and the times that such a play demanded. First to take risks in getting the ball out to break United's uncomfortable pressure. It was Cuti Romero, after the ball passed Oblak's boots a couple of times, who played with Kang-in Lee. The Korean broke away from his pair in the central circle at full speed and took a pass over the defense to make Baena run down the tenth lane. And he honored his number at the peak of the area to first feint and then wait for the arrival of Pablo Barrios. The cross touch from the midfielder was going in, but it took a while to cross the line because it touched Lammens and Heaven was unable to stop it. Barrios exploded, looking for solutions to avoid his frequent injuries. In the hour that he played as a precaution (Pubill replaced him), he was one of the players that Atlético relied on.
On the sideline, hieratic, Michael Carrick, United's coach, seemed in disbelief that his team had doubled down and conceded to Atlético's first attack. The English team was rebuilt, thanks to the physical strength of its players and the good eye of Bruno Fernandes. The first time the Portuguese connected with the powerful Mbeumo, he threw a shot that Cuti Romero ate. Against Oblak the French attacker drew a tight, low curve. Oblak's pointer was this time the one that made his first miraculous intervention. Rashford also threatened with a shot that found no finisher. It was his most brilliant action in the entire first act. Later Llorente took his measure and beat him every time they challenged each other in speed.
Oblak had to shine again after United made a meteoric tuya-mía after an innocent loss by Cuti Romero. The Argentine center back is as splendid as he is reckless at times. But with these characteristics he has made a career until he joined Atlético and led the defense of Argentina, world champion and runner-up in the last two World Cups.
The dominance was alternate and when Atlético had it, it gave the impression of being looser in its development. Cardoso's best game contributed as a reference pivot in the absence of Koke due to the death of his mother. Cardoso offered more to start the game than was usual and distributed it well. Barrios and Baena joined the Americans. The latter once again played a monumental game. One more pawn without the ball and a king with it. He delighted with controls and passes and once again showed that he understood well with Grimaldo to go inside or outside. The winger showed off his venomous strike in a direct free kick near the left peak of the Lammens area. Heeled, his shot sent the ball to the crossbar.
United were subdued in the last part of the first half. They even conceded a good goal from Cardoso, who had culminated a good movement by Atlético sharpened twice by Barrios. The VAR determined that before Barrios' last pass, the ball had touched Llorente's hand. Barrios started the restart just as powerful and incisive. His run on the right and the cross pass into the area was connected to the post by Julián Alvarez. The Argentine, hardworking and with movements that help fuel the attack, is denied the goal, but that is still not enough to stop him from hearing whistles from an already minority part of the red and white fans. They got a scare when Cuti didn't win a loose ball on the wing and the lob that Tielemans threw left Bruno Fernandes in front of Oblak. This time the Colchonero goalkeeper tried to occupy all the space he could to make it difficult for the Portuguese, who whistled the post. The Argentine later made up for it with a couple of imperial crosses and ball exits.
Kang-in Lee, Baena and Julián Alvarez gave way to Hjulmand, Lookman and David to give oxygen to the team. The Canadian forced the expulsion of Yoro and finished off the counter that Lammens rejected and Lookman finished off.
