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Manchester United secured an important 3-0 lead in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League playoff against Atlético Madrid. Goals from Elisabeth Terland and Melvine Malard bookended the first half before Julia Zigiotti Olme added a third late on as Marc Skinner’s side produced a professional performance away from home.
These two were familiar opponents having met in Madrid back in October in the league phase. United came out with a 1-0 win on that occasion in an eventful encounter in which both sides were reduced to 10 players.
Since then, their fortunes have diverged. Skinner’s side are in a strong vein of form that has taken them to second place in the Women’s Super League and to their first League Cup final.
For Atlético, things have been less rosy. They have had an inconsistent season in Liga F and they now sit fifth. A run of poor results led to the replacement of Victor Martín with José Herrera in late January. In the three matches since, the new manager has implemented a change to a back three that resulted in them earning their first win in seven against Levante at the weekend.
Herrera named an unchanged line-up from that success. They were without the electric midfielder Luany due to suspension while the new arrivals Priscila Chinchilla and Kathrine Møller Kühl were on the bench.
In contrast, Skinner made three changes from the victory over Leicester last Saturday. With three goals in her past four matches, the clinical Terland returned to lead the line while Ellen Wangerheim was handed her first Champions League start in a United shirt.
The Atlético midfielder Fiamma Benítez had said pre-match that her side would need to cut out mistakes but a big error within three minutes put Atlético on the back foot immediately. Vilde Bøe Risa handed her former side a gift when she sent a clearing pass straight into Malard. One look and the France international spotted the run of Terland and the Norwegian duly converted.
In the 10 minutes that followed, United looked as if they were going to run away with it. Terland had a second goal disallowed for an offside while Malard and Jess Park continued to cause problems.
A few tweaks in structure from Herrera, however, brought a bright spell of possession for the Spanish side. They created a handful of half chances but failed to really challenge Phallon Tullis-Joyce when given the chance.
As the first half drew to a close, United made it comfortable. Malard beat Silvia Lloris before unleashing a terrific curling finish past the helpless Lola Gallardo. Three shots, two goals – the definition of a clinical performance.
Jayde Riviere stung the hands of Lola Gallardo immediately after the break as United looked to put the game to bed. Atlético, however, were not going down without a fight and created a series of chances.
Amaiur Sarriegi recorded their first shot on target, a soft effort that was sent straight at Tullis-Joyce. The United keeper then tipped Bøe Risa’s free-kick onto the woodwork before Fiamma effort was deflected wide.
Skinner’s side weathered the brief storm and still had time to make sure of the win. Zigiotti Olme drove in an angled shot late on to send United home with a comfortable cushion going into next week’s second leg in Leigh.
