Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United keeper David de Gea at a loss for words following the Champions League exit to Atletico Madrid
Speaking to BT Sport after his side’s 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid (h/t Daily Mail), Manchester United keeper David de Gea said he was at a loss for words after his team were knocked out of the Champions League.
Heading into the return leg at Old Trafford with a 1-1 scoreline of aggregate, Renan Lodi fired home the decisive goal in the first half of the match at Old Trafford. Man United kept huffing and puffing until the end, but could not find the back of the net in the end.
The Red Devils had the advantage of playing at home, but unfortunately, the fans could not make their voice count to urge the side to victory. Although the home side dominated in the first period of the match, they fell behind to Lodi’s strike just before half-time.
It marks a difficult moment for the club after going yet another campaign without winning a trophy. In the Champions League especially, their last title was in 2008 when they beat Chelsea on penalties in Moscow.
“Very, very tough”
Atletico sat tight in the second half of the game as they allowed the home side to dominate possession and try to break them down. However, Diego Simeone’s men are known to be difficult to get through, and our attackers could not find the eventual breakthrough at the end of ninety minutes.
de Gea reflected on last night’s game and said that he was not sure whether they deserved to win the game, but since they were out again in the competition, it marks yet another bad year for everyone involved with the club.
“I don’t know if we should win this game, to be honest, but we don’t win the game and we’re out again, another bad year for us, so it’s very, very tough.”
Despite heading into the second leg of the Round of 16 tie with a draw in hand and playing in front of a home crowd, United could not take advantage of the situation as they were frustrated by the Rojiblancos throughout the game.
Atletico’s winner in the match was also shrouded in controversy as Anthony Elanga was seemingly fouled in the build-up to the goal. However, the referee allowed play to go on, and Lodi made the most of the situation. While we can cry foul over some questionable decisions, the blame has to squarely lie with the player who ultimately failed to rise to the occasion.
More Manchester United News
- Manchester United dealt huge transfer blow as Franck Kessie ‘signs’ for new club
- Manchester United fans react as Red Devils crash out of UEFA Champions League vs Atletico Madrid
- Manchester United icon Gary Pallister claims Cristiano Ronaldo must get used to being benched at the club
De Gea did not have much to do in the match, apart from making a wonder save against Rodrigo de Paul’s shot from distance. Apart from a few routine stops otherwise, his opponents did not cause him too much trouble.
The Spaniard is right to be disappointed about the result, making bettors who love the team bet on sportsbook website in anticipation of a positive result. As one of the very few Premier League winners in the squad, he knows where the Red Devils need to be, and should aim to be from next season as we usher in a new era with a new, permanent manager in charge of the side.
