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Here is what Marc Skinner had to say in yesterday’s pre-match press conference.
We’re excited. We’re looking forward to playing Atléti, fantastic team, fantastic club. We’re really looking forward to it. We know how good we are, we believe in ourselves, we also know we’re facing a really tough challenge. Tomorrow night will be a really good challenge for us – everyone is raring to go.
[Atlético Madrid] have an incredible attack. They have flair, they have aggression, they are very evasive. They have got Vilde Bøe Risa, who used to play for Manchester United and is a wonderful footballer. They defend very well as well, so they have quite a good balance. I think we have to defend well tomorrow night because of the threats they have. Also, with the ball, I think they have to be aware of us. We’ve spoken about it, we have to be focused and defensively alert because Atléti can spring counterattacks quickly and have the ability to beat you one v one. Also, in front of their fans, I think it will be a good atmosphere. We see a lot threats, but also hopefully we can give them our threats too.
Tonight’s broadcast of Atlético Madrid v Manchester United is available to watch on Disney+ after they acquired rights across multiple European territories. Tom Garry’s verdict? An intriguing collaboration but room for growth.
Chelsea were in WCL action last night, cruising to a 4-0 win against Paris FC. Sophie Downey was at the Bridge to watch it unfold.
Their pressure eventually told, however, when Nüsken went down in the box with half an hour played. The offence from Le Moguédec was not initially spotted by the referee, Michalina Diakow, but after a brief trip to the VAR monitor, she duly pointed to the spot. Baltimore stepped up to convert for the second week in a row.
Chelsea consolidated their advantage just before the break when Thompson broke forward at pace. A clever turn gave her space to stand up a cross for Rytting Kaneryd to loop a header home. The winger looked slightly bemused that it had ended up in the back of the net, celebrating with an expression that said she is not accustomed to scoring with her head.
Read the full report below.
Team news
Atlético Madrid XI: Lola Gallardo; Fernández, Lauren, Silvia Lloris, Medina; García, Bøe Risa, Fiamma; Luany, Glo Garbelini, Jensen
Subs: Patricia Larqué, Bucero, Pérez, Guijarro, Vitória, Bartel, Portales, Sarriegi, Gomez, Rodríguez, Miñambres
Manchester United XI: Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Zigiotti Olme, Toone; Malard, Terland, Rolfö
Subs: Rendell, Middleton-Patel, George, Blunder, Galton, Awujo, Naalsund, Williams
Referee: Eleni Antoniou (Greece)
United’s injury issues means they are unable to name an entire substitute list, with only eight players out of a possible 11 on the bench.
Atlético Madrid will be hoping to put their 6-0 home loss to the Liga F leaders, Barcelona, on Sunday. They now sit third in the league, seven points away from top.
Víctor Martín’s side will be looking to right the weekend’s wrongs against United in their first meeting against an English team in Europe since losing to Chelsea in the last 16 in 2021-22. That loss was Madrid’s only one of their previous six contests against English sides.
Preamble
It has been a good week for Manchester United. Last Wednesday Marc Skinner’s side made their debut in the Women’s Champions League after qualifying for the main phase of the tournament for the first time in their history. It was not particularly thrilling but a Maya Le Tissier penalty was enough for the hosts to earn the win against Vålerenga.
Four days later a Jess Park double saw out a commanding 4-1 away victory against Everton, the hosts’ first beside the docks at Hill Dickinson Stadium, to preserve their unbeaten start to the league season.
Now United are back in Champions League action and face a huge test against Atlético Madrid on matchday two. The Spanish side won their first league phase match 6-0 at St Pölten in which they were three up within 22 minutes.
We get underway in Madrid at 5.45pm BST. In the meantime feel free to get in touch with any thoughts or predictions via email.
