Atalanta are kicking themselves yet again after fumbling a lead against Manchester United, as Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to snatch a 2-2 draw in Bergamo.
Champions League liveblog: Atalanta vs. Man United and Juventus vs. Zenit
La Dea were still smarting after taking a 2-0 lead at Old Trafford only to capitulate 3-2. The injury crisis dragged on, with Rafael Toloi, Berat Djimsiti, Robin Gosens, Hans Hateboer and Matteo Pessina out of action, while Jose Luis Palomino and Merih Demiral were not at 100 per cent, but started anyway. Viktor Lindelof didn’t make the trip, but it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s first return to Italy since leaving Juventus over the summer and United moved to 3-4-1-2.
Scott McTominay almost gave United an early lead, as Juan Musso could only watch the deflected effort bobble along to bounce off the base of the far post after it struck Jose Luis Palomino.
However, Atalanta broke the deadlock when Duvan Zapata burst down the left and laid it off for Josip Ilicic, whose shot from just inside the box squirmed under David De Gea into the far bottom corner.
Duvan Zapata fired over when he should’ve rolled across for Mario Pasalic, then the Colombian was sure he must score after Paul Pogba was caught in possession, but was denied by a desperate Eric Bailly flinging himself in the way from 10 yards.
Raphael Varane went off injured, but Manchester United equalised with one of their first real attacks on the stroke of half-time. Cristiano Ronaldo completed the give-and-go with Bruno Fernandes – who did a back-heel flick assist – to fire in from 12 yards.
On 58 minutes, Duvan Zapata had the ball in the net after running onto the Jose Luis Palomino ball over the top and riding a Harry Maguire tackle. The offside flag was up, but after a very long VAR check, it was confirmed the Atalanta goal was valid.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s effort was accidentally charged down by teammate Mason Greenwood, but Bailly made yet another desperate block to stop Duvan Zapata sliding in undisturbed.
Duvan Zapata’s header landed on the roof of the net and De Gea had to push his snapshot round the base of the upright.
However, yet again, Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo popped up in stoppages with a goal out of nowhere. Mason Greenwood knocked it on and Ronaldo hit a perfect low volley into the far bottom corner from the edge of the area. There was a silent VAR check for Greenwood’s handball, but inexplicably they decided not to suggest an on-field review.
There was almost an even bigger turnaround, Donny van de Beek forcing a one-handed save from Musso at a tight angle.
Atalanta 2-2 Manchester United
Ilicic 12 (A), Ronaldo 45, 92 (M), Duvan Zapata 58 (A)
Watched the last 20 Minutes. A real shame Atalanta couldn’t close this match out. Two matches now where a full 6 Points should have been banked. This is going to really hurt.
qualification is still 70 percent possible.
if Villarreal beat Manchester United with 2 goal margin and atalanta beat young boys. day six will beat exhibition for atalanta because of head to head record Villarreal/Manchester United. atalanta really missed the two weapons going forward gosens and hatebour.
This is very annoying. How Gasperini didn’t learn from the away leg or the 5-0 vs Liverpool baffles me. Man United are a team that can’t defensively handle an offensive onslaught but if you try to defend and hit them on the break as a tactic, you’re playing to their strengths. I saw both goals coming a mile away when Atalanta started sitting back after going ahead. Also why did they not use some gamesmanship on McTominay? He was on a yellow and had been further warned so he was hanging by a thread and any foul or dissent would have gotten him sent off. Atalanta should have beaten Man United in both games but showed them too much respect.
Agree with that. For a team that is known for playing with reckless abandon, they conceded because they kept falling back. Had they conceded because they took a risk in Attack and got caught, that could be expected.
Besides the 2 Wingbacks, add to that the 2 Azzurro’s, Toloi and Pessina.
All possible to advance, yes, but I wanted both Atalanta and Villarreal through, at Manure’s expense. I’ve always considered Villarreal the team I support in Spain. Possible but unlikely that Manure miss out.
United are playing on borrowed time. Ronaldo won’t be able to keep saving them. But nobody can deny what a legend he truely is. Sooner or later their last gasp equalizers and winners will stop.
Liverpool put the blueprint out on how to annihilate them. Atalanta overachieve for their shoestring budget. Bayern Munich would give them an absolute bashing.