The last two knockout stages of the Champions League took place this Wednesday evening. By getting the draw at Benfica (2-2), Ajax Amsterdam took half a foot to go up in the quarter before the return matches which will take place on Tuesday March 15. The suspense will be greater at Old Trafford after the draw (1-1) between Atlético de Madrid and Manchester United.
What you must remember
It was not necessary to arrive late at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid for the clash between Atlético and Manchester United, with three Frenchmen on the ground at kick-off (Kondogbia on the Spanish side, Pogba and Varane in the English camp). From the 7th, in fact, the Colchoneros opened the scoring with a magnificent diving header from Joao Felix on a curled cross from Renan Lodi. The start of a long Madrid domination against Mancunians who were tactically overwhelmed and unable to get into a firing position.
In the second half, Diego Simeone’s men could have taken cover. But it was ultimately the young Swedish substitute Elanga, who left deep behind the defense, who tied the two teams on his… second ball (81st)! At the end of the match, Griezmann, who entered the last quarter of an hour, found the bar with a magnificent curling shot from the left.
At Benfica, Ajax Amsterdam also did not drag much before taking the lead thanks to a right-footed half-volley from Tadic after a good recovery from Mazraoui (18th). Superior to the Portuguese, the Dutch were dangerous on almost all their occasions.
But like the Spaniards, they were unable to keep the score and were joined on a goal by Yaremchuk, which the Ukrainian striker celebrated by removing his jersey to display the symbol of the Ukrainian federation. Ajax is still in favorable waivers before the return to the Amsterdam Arena.
The man of the evening: Sébastien Haller
The least we can say is that Sébastien Haller was everywhere on the lawn of the Estadio Da Luz in Lisbon. The Ivorian striker from Ajax Amsterdam pulled off a rare performance in just three minutes. First by scoring against his camp (26th) while his team was leading 1-0. On a powerful cross from Vertonghen, the native of Ris-Orangis unfortunately deflected the ball into his own goal.
But he did not have to brood over his misadventure for long. Three minutes later, in fact, the striker of the Dutch club resumed colors and gave the advantage to his team by deceiving Vlachodimos in two stages. Becoming the first player in history to reach a total of 11 goals in his first seven Champions League games.
The number: 2
Ronaldo is still two small goals with Manchester United since the start of 2022. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has never been able to get in a position to score in Madrid. The Portuguese had however taken the habit of making some miseries to the teammates of Antoine Griezmann. In 35 games against Atlético, most of them under the colors of Real, CR7 had scored 25 goals…