The Portuguese shone with his own light against Manchester United and scored a great goal. A great stage asked for the best version of him and the ‘7’ responded to Simeone.
The beautiful night from Joao
The cracks are forged on the big nights. And when the Champions League music plays, the best Joao Felix appears. The Portuguese continued with the ascending line that he had shown in Pamplona and was a constant threat for Manchester United, who could only stop him based on fouls after becoming undetectable between the pivot and the English center-backs. If Fernando Santos was paying close attention to the Wanda Metropolitano game, with its great stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes representing the Reds Devils , it was Joao Félix who dazzled in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. Atletico left with a bittersweet taste after their great game was marred by a goal from Elanga that will force them to win at Old Trafford to reach the quarterfinals. However, despite the poor result obtained for the superiority shown, Simeone also has green shoots to work on, with the step forward of Herrera, Kondogbia, Vrsaljko, Lodi… and João Félix.
Atletico is staying strong
Between these last two they generated a great goal for Atlético to go ahead six minutes into the game. Lodi picked up a loose ball after a corner and put a splendid cross to the penalty spot that Joao Félix finished off with a header at height, on a plate and that slipped into De Gea’s goal after touching the post. But, beyond the goal, the Portuguese was what the coach has always asked of him. A daring player, with intelligence, game time management, quality and great tactical work on United’s departure. Joao Felix and Correa were a constant nuisance for the English defense and together with Kondogbia and Herrera they turned the central area of the field into a red and white preserve.