Here it is! It feels like we’ve been building up to this game for some time now. After scrapping through the away leg with a 1-1 draw, Manchester United play host to Diego Simeone’s side. Here’s what we could expect to see from this potentially season defining match for Ralf Rangnick and his team.
Opposition
Simeone’s side come into this fixture arguably as favourites. They carry some strong form as we approach the second-leg. They have won their three games in La Liga since facing the Red Devils a few weeks ago. This form has seen them retain hold of the fourth Champions League spot for now. However, similar to Manchester United they will no doubt be looking over their shoulders at teams lower down the table and hoping that progressing to the quarter-finals of this tournament could improve a disappointing season.
In the first leg we saw Diego Simeone opt for the 3-5-2 formation and I expect we shall see the same again here. Obviously starting with Jan Oblak in goal. A back three of Savic, Felipe and Reinildo. With Marcos Llorente at right wing-back and Renan Lodi on the opposite flank. I expect to see a midfield trio of Herrera, Koke and Paul. With danger man João Felix accompanied by Antoine Griezmann up top.
Manchester United
As we all know, this game is massive. With hopes of finishing in the top four dwindling, the Champions League is more and more becoming the only way of saving this season. The levels of pressure are sky-high and you can feel it. Let’s get this right Manchester United do not go into this game as the favourite. But let’s look at some things that might give us fans a bit of hope. As much as we saw in the first leg how vast the difference in class is between these two teams. Atleti are by no means having the kind of season that they should be having. This is a disappointing season for them so far. And the fact that they didn’t win the first leg will hurt them and it means that they will have to come out and play against us, which could go in our favour.
Line-up
With all that in mind, here is how I think Rangnick could line-up. I think he should stick with the 4-3-3 formation. David de Gea in net seems beyond doubt. Diogo Dalot at right-back. Alex Telles at left-back. I think we should see Lindelöf partnering Varane however, we will most likely see Maguire. I think the midfield is where things could get more interesting. Seeing Nemanja Matic play in the number 6 position would be what most fans, including myself, want to see. However, considering that he played 80 minutes at the weekend I would be very surprised to see him from the off. Instead I think Rangnick will revert to type and play McTominay alongside Paul Pogba and a Bruno Fernandes who should be back to full fitness.
As for the front three, Jadon Sancho is consistently making himself one of the first players on the team-sheet, and he could play a vital role in unlocking a tough Simeone defence. On the opposite flank, I think we could see Anthony Elanga. However, there could be a case for pushing Pogba up onto the left wing. And playing Fred in midfield in the more advanced box-to-box role that he did well in at the weekend. As for the number 9, it has to be Cristiano Ronaldo. Netting a hat-trick at the weekend to secure three points will give him the boost that he needs to put in another top quality performance here and get United through.
Prediction
I think this is going to be a tough game. There are undoubtedly going to be spells of dominance from Simeone’s side. Hopefully, Rangnick and his team can weather the storm and look to hit them on the break. Use the pace of players like Sancho and the creativity of Bruno and Pogba to create chances for Ronaldo to finish. I am going for a 2-1 United win, a late winner from Ronaldo to see us through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League would be brilliant.