Footballers from Atletico Madrid and Manchester United already said goodbye to trophies in domestic competitions in February. In La Liga, i.e. the Premier League, they are playing below expectations, so they will fight until the end for a place in the Champions League next season.
The Champions League is the only competition in which "Kolćoneros" and "Devils" can win trophies. True, it is unlikely that one of these two teams will lift the cup, but tonight's (21 p.m.) first match of the round of XNUMX of the Champions League at Madrid's "Wanda Metropolitano" could herald better days for the Spanish or English team.
This especially applies to United, who changed their coach during the season. Ralf Rangnik succeeded Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but the team continues to play below expectations. In the last two matches in the Premier League, United registered two victories and the match in Madrid will show whether the team has finally started in the right direction.
"We have won the last two matches in the Premier League, which can affect our game in the Champions League. It's not about playing well for 45 or 60 minutes, but about achieving a favorable result and advancing to the quarterfinals," Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnik said in the announcement of the match.
The German will not be able to count on Edinson Cavani tonight, and when announcing the clash in Madrid, he also referred to the coach of Atlético, Diego Simeone.
"Simeone won trophies with a clear identity and style of play. Atlético is an emotional team and their behavior on the field reflects on the coach as well. I expect a lot of emotions. It will be difficult, but we have to mentally prepare for this double match," said Rangnik.
Simeone seems to be leaving the role of favorite to United.
"We are playing against one of the best European teams. They are a stronger team, they are compact. They are strong in defense and rebounding. It is difficult to find their flaws," said Simeone.
In tonight's second match of the round of XNUMX, the teams that surprised in the first part of the season - Benfica and Ajax - will meet.
Benfica finished the competition in the group ahead of Barcelona, while the "spearers" played a great group stage and qualified for the knockout round with all six victories.
"Important match. Ajax is one of the best European teams. We know their strengths, but also their weaknesses, which we will try to exploit. We are motivated. I think that both teams have an equal chance to pass," said Benfica coach Nelson Verisimo.
Ajax played phenomenally in the group stage...
"We analyzed Benfica's game. We will be ready. The players have to make the right decisions, to read the game well in order to win," believes the coach of the team from Amsterdam, Erik Ten Haag.
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