Manchester United 3-2 Atalanta: a goal from Ronaldo condemns Gasp

For a time Atalanta made the “Theater of Dreams” a nightmare for Manchester United fans. Unfortunately, it was not enough, because Gian Piero Gasperini had to face multiple absences, as well as an opponent full of champions, albeit in a difficult period. In the end, the Red Devils win 3-2 in comeback, after being down by two goals. And with Villarreal’s victory in Switzerland against Young Boys, the qualification discussion is more open than ever: English first at 6 points, Spaniards and Dea at 4, Swiss at 3.

What a first time

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Gasperini, as in Empoli during the race, moves De Roon back in the three of the defense, with Koopmeiners confirmed in the median alongside Freuler. The surprises are ahead: Ilicic and Muriel again from 1 ‘, while Zapata and Malinovskyi start on the bench. Solskjaer, however, leaves Pogba out. Ronaldo lone striker, behind him Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes and Rashford. But it is in their own half that United have obvious problems. After a quarter of an hour of the Red Devils brand, in fact, Atalanta passes. Muriel works well a ball that Ilicic delivers on the lane for Zappacosta, low cross and paw in front of Pasalic for 0-1. Old Trafford ice cream and shaken Manchester. The reaction immediately produces Fred’s shot in the 20 ‘, after CR7 on the right, but Musso is good at lifting over the crossbar. Gasperini’s team suffers the right one, but at the first opportunity it hits again: it’s the 29 ‘, Koopmeiners beats a corner with the left that the bruised Demiral (Lovato had started to warm up already at 14’ …) deflects head over De Gea. At 0-2, Atalanta is perhaps wrong in not taking advantage of the obvious slip of the opponent, who is nervously dragging himself up to the interval. Even if right in the recovery, Rashford pinches the crossbar after a sensational hole by Demiral, until then hands down the best in the field.

Suffering

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That another United is on the pitch at the restart is immediately obvious. In addition, the Goddess loses Demiral, who gives way to the young Lovato. At 48 ‘Musso says no to Ronaldo. Five minutes later, the Nerazzurri’s wall fell: Ilicic lost badly in the middle of the pitch, a brilliant intuition from Fernandes who once again put Rashford alone in front of the goalkeeper and this time the English international made no mistake. Gasperini tries to shock his team by changing the center forward: out Muriel, here is Zapata. But now Old Trafford pushes and United is scary. At 58 ‘Greenwood broke right and on his deflected cross, McTominay hit the post. So Musso is super on Ronaldo’s left-handed diagonal. Gasp also plays the cards Miranchuk (who sees himself …) and Malinovskyi and at 71 ‘Atalanta breaks the siege with a double, greedy goal ball: De Gea stops Zapata first, then Malinovskyi also on the rejected.

End of the dream

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It’s the sliding doors moment of the evening. Because from there on, it’s a red blaze. At 75 ‘Maguire takes advantage of a smooth shot by Freuler and cold Musso at the near post. And at 81 ‘Cristiano Ronaldo (who but him?) Crushes Shaw’s cross from the left to perfection with his head. It is the overtaking goal, it is the 3-2 that breaks Atalanta’s dream. There would still be time to at least seek a draw, which would be useful in terms of the standings, but Manchester United closes and risks little or nothing. The Dea is left with the emotions of a true Champions night, but no point in the suitcase for Bergamo. And the regret of having had to play in a strong emergency.