Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirms Atalanta are ‘very physical and hard to play against’ in an ‘electric atmosphere,’ but Manchester United had to thank ‘incredible’ Cristiano Ronaldo.
The two Champions League clashes between these teams certainly weren’t short on drama and entertainment.
La Dea were 2-0 up at Old Trafford only to lose 3-2 in stoppages to a Ronaldo towering header.
In Bergamo, Atalanta twice took the lead only to be neutralised by a Ronaldo brace, including a stoppage-time volley, for 2-2.
Champions League | Atalanta 2-2 Man Utd: Ronaldo breaks hearts in Bergamo
“It is a tight game, flowed both ways, their two goals were very tight and we thought the first was offside, I thought he interfered with David de Gea’s view,” Solskjaer told BT Sport.
“Cristiano is just incredible if there is anyone you want a chance to fall to and a difficult chance, it is just incredible…
“That is football, no one can question the character of these players, because they don’t ever give up and give in, they just keep going. We had to make changes and they worked.”
The equaliser arrived on the stroke of half-time, CR7 finishing off a good passing move, including the Bruno Fernandes back-heel flick assist.
Manchester United seemed to create very little in the second half this evening, until the Ronaldo volley out of nowhere.
“The goal was a proper team goal, great quality on the passing, four or five or six passes before that little exchange as well,” added the manager.
“You don’t plan to concede a goal, I thought it was offside, usually he would save that one. The atmosphere was electric, very physical and hard to play against.”
“No one can question the character of these players!”
“They just don’t give up.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjær praises his side’s never-say-die attitude, updates us on Raphaël Varane’s injury, and talks about THAT late Ronaldo leveller…
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— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 2, 2021