Ronaldo proved to be Manchester United’s savior once again, as he netted in both the first and the second-half stoppage time to rescue a point against Atalanta. The Portugal international is already on five goals in four Champions League matches.
Two weeks after their come-from-behind win over Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League, Manchester United played the Bergamaschi again with the hopes of consolidating their position in the group table. Yet again, the Red Devils had to come from behind, and yet again, it was Cristiano Ronaldo who rescued a point for them with a late goal.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer decided to stick with the 3-4-1-2 system that helped his side beat Tottenham Hotspur convincingly on the weekend. However, it didn’t take long for Atalanta to find chinks in the armor, and Josip Ilicic gave them the lead with just 12 minutes played.
The veteran forward was picked out by Duvan Zapata with a low cross from the left wing, and his first time shot from the edge of the box went through David De Gea and into the back of the net.
United probed for the equalizer and found one in first-half stoppage time. Two of their most important players, Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo, combined, with the former back-heeling the ball into the path of the latter – who poked it home from close range.
Colombian striker Duvan Zapata proved to be a handful for the United defenders throughout the game, even more so after Raphael Varane had to be subbed off due to an injury in the first half. The forward scored the goal that restored Atalanta’s lead in the 56th minute, thanks, in part, to some poor defending from Harry Maguire.
The England international played Zapata onside in the first phase of the developing move before failing to stop him with a weak challenge inside the box. Zapata kept his composure and finished past De Gea with ease.
Manchester United had to commit men forward in search of an equalizer, and as has been the theme of the group so far, Ronaldo popped up in the 91st minute to rescue a point for the team.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner lashed in a low strike from outside the box, sparking wild celebrations both on and off the pitch.
