The game between Manchester United and Atletico Madrid ended in a 1-1 draw and one has to feel that it is Ralf Rangnick’s side, who will be happier out of the two with the result. The hosts had had the better chances in the first half, and went into the break with a 1-0 lead through an opener from Joao Felix. The Red Devils managed to find their way back though, with Anthony Elanga scoring the equaliser in the 80th minute.
Ultimately, the two sides could not be separated. Manchester United will go through, if they are able to win the second leg at Old Trafford.
Considering the kind of form that Atletico Madrid have been in, that is not an impossible task by any stretch of the imagination.
One player who has had his fair share of critics this season is Bruno Fernandes. But he left his mark on the game against Atletico Madrid by providing the assist for Elanga’s goal. And in the process of doing so, he broke one of David Beckham’s records, that he had held since 1998.
Fernandes breaks Manchester United legend’s record
As tweeted out by OptaJoe, Fernandes became the first player in Champions League history to provide an assist in six consecutive matches while playing for an English club. Up until then, the record had been held by Beckham since 1998.
Fernandes has been nowhere near the top of his game this season. But it must be said that he has looked better when playing in the Champions League. For some reason, Europe appears to be where he has played his best football this time around till now.
It will be interesting to see if he can showcase this kind of form in the Premier League as well, as then, it would make them one of the favourites to finish in the top four.