Key events
17 min: Tullis-Joyce is called upon once again as Atlético peel away against but Jensen’s shot is straight at the keeper. They must take their chances when they have one, if United score again this tie could be done.
15 min: It is end-to-end with a chance created by Fernandez and then United counter. Schuller gets a shot on target but Gallardo saves. Both teams fighting for the first goal in this second leg.
Tom Garry
13 min: The decision to play Dominique Janssen at left-back, not in her usual position, and leave Gabby George on the bench is a really interesting choice, from Marc Skinner. I wonder if the away side will look to target that wing. They have started brightly here and they arguably should be in front already.
12 min: Sarriegi must be secretly reading my blog as she creates a great chance, well saved by Tullis-Joyce, which wins them a corner. They take it short but it eventually comes in and Lauren gets a head to it but it’s just over the bar. That was a well-worked set piece, just the accuracy missing.
10 min: It’s been a fast paced opening to this match but if Atlético want a chance of remaining in the competition they need to get on the scoresheet as soon as possible. Since their early chance they have not had a clear cut shot on goal.
8 min: Both teams have now lulled into a rhythm with possession being exchanged back and forth. If you are interested in a weather update, it is bitterly cold in Manchester but there is no sign of rain.
6 min: What is it about Malard against Atlético Madrid? She was amazing last week and she looks energetic early on as she fires a good strike from outside the box but Gallardo is wise to it.
5 min: The early shot for the visitors has motivated the hosts and they have had the majority of possession since. Their most promising move coming with Malard crossing in but Gallardo collected easily.
3 min: Atlético have the first chance with Jensen making a great run to find Sarriegi but the resulting shot is an easy one for Tullis-Joyce to save.
2 min: If anyone is wondering where Jayde Riviere is, well she is injured after picking up a knock. It is a blow for United for with a 3-0 cushion they should be okay this evening.
Kick-off: Man Utd 0-0 (3-0 on agg) Atlético Madrid
Here we go.
My friends and I got in a strange but fun debate earlier today: how long do you think it would take you to eat a bathtub full of coco pops. I said two days but my friends were having none of it. What would be your response? Email me and let me know, you can also get in touch with anything football related too.
A great piece to read before this game begins:
Here is how Arsenal booked their spot in the quarter-finals, where they will play Chelsea:
You can catch up with our Women’s Football Weekly below:
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner is urging his team to ignore the aggregate score this evening: “The reality is we’re preparing to go and win the game. We have to give absolutely everything. There’s only one game that matters, and it’s that game.
“If you win it, you’re guaranteed to go through. That’s the mindset. There isn’t any 3-0, not the cliche bit it’s 0-0, and we have to start the game properly.”
What is the form of both teams heading into this match? Well Manchester United are looking for their eighth win on the bounce with their latest victory coming against the London City Lionesses in the Women’s Super League on Sunday. Meanwhile, Atlético have only lost one game since their new manager Jose Herrera took over in January which was the first leg against United. Most recently they drew 0-0 with Madrid CFF in Liga F.
Manchester United will be wearing their third kit this evening after the club’s other strips were deemed too similar to Atlético’s goalkeeper kit. The Spanish club brought an orange keeper shirt.
In the first tie Silvia Lloris went off injured and fans feared the worst which was confirmed this week. The Spanish star has ruptured her ACL and will spend a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The team news is in. United have made four changes from the starting line-up on the weekend with Hanna Lundvist, Melvine Malard and Dominique Janssen coming in. Anna Sanberg is not involved after sustaining an injury in the first leg.
Man Utd: Tullis-Joyce, Le Tissier, Lundkvist, Park, Malard, Naalsund, Janssen, Zigiotti, Miyazawa, Turner, Schuller.
Bench: Middleton-Patel, Rendell, George, Anderson, Awujo, Wangerheim
Atlético, meanwhile, make two changes with Otermín and Gio drop to the bench from their draw at the weekend.
Atlético: Gallardo, Fernandez, Perez, Lauren, Menayo, Medina, Boe Risa, Bartel, Fiamma, Jensen, Sarriegi.
Bench: Larqué, Bucero, Guijarro, Kühl, Otermín, Chinchilla, Gio, Portales, Luany, Peñalvo, Rodríguez
An exclusive below from our very own Tom Garry:
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the second leg of the Women’s Champions League playoff between Manchester United and Atlético Madrid. The English club have the upper hand in this tie as they won the first leg 3-0 and now host the second to seal their spot in the quarter-finals.
Atlético will have to put in a perfect performance to try and wrestle a last eight spot back from United. Last week they did not take their chances when they had them but if they do this evening they could turn it around.
If United get through though they will be one of three English clubs in the quarters with Arsenal booking their spot last night and Chelsea already through, more on that shortly.
The team news will drop soon so stay tuned for all the updates before kick-off at 8pm GMT.
