Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick analyses Atletico Madrid Champions League clash
Speaking in his pre-match press conference against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League (h/t Manchester Evening News), Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick assessed his opponents ahead of tomorrow’s clash and said that his team need to perform at the highest level.
Man United head into the game in good spirits, having won both their previous league games and tightening their grip on the fourth spot in the Premier League table, increasing their chances of playing Champions League football next season.
Rangnick said that his team will be tested physically, emotionally, and mentally against Atletico tomorrow and that he would help the team prepare for the challenge accordingly.
“We need to match the levels of energy and emotion in both games. It will be physical, it will be emotional and we will have to be mentally strong in both games. I will try to prepare our team for that challenge.”
Atletico are heading into the game off the back of a 3-0 win against Osasuna in La Liga, currently lying in fifth place. Like the Red Devils, the defending Spanish champions are having a poor season domestically, going about their title defence in a terrible fashion.
Highest level
Man United did not have a great time in the Champions League last year, crashing out of the group stages and being relegated to the Europa League. Even in the latter competition, the Red Devils lost the summit clash against Villareal on penalties in what was a heartbreaking defeat for players and fans alike.
Rangnick reminded the squad that they need to perform at the highest level tomorrow to snatch a victory away from home, and even hinted at some changes in the lineup from the Leeds United clash the previous weekend.
“In the Champions League, you need to perform at the highest level in all those areas that you have mentioned. We have made sure the players could recover in the last few days and maybe we will have some fresh legs on the pitch, we will see tomorrow.”
The Champions League is United’s only shot at a trophy this season, given their poor showings in other knockout competitions and terrible league form. Rangnick has come in and steadied the ship in the Premier League, but the Champions League presents a different challenge for the Red Devils.
The pressure to win the UCL may be even more if Man United progress far in the competition, and seemingly miss out on a Champions League spot in the league due to their progress deep into the continental competition.
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All said and done, there is no doubt that tomorrow’s game against Atletico will be tough for Man United. Diego Simeone’s men are a well-drilled machine, reputed for being hard to break down. The Old Trafford side interestingly has struggled to get past teams that set up in this style.
Rangnick has hinted at fresh legs in the lineup against the La Liga champions, which means that the German has some plans in mind to counter Atletico’s style of play and ensure victory in Madrid. All eyes will be on the teamsheet to see what the manager comes up with tomorrow.
