The buildup to Manchester United's Champions League Round of 16 first leg trip to Atletico Madrid was dominated by one man: Cristiano Ronaldo, who was on a five-match scoring streak after the group stage.
Atletico boss Diego Simeone has crossed paths with Ronaldo far too many times for his liking, especially given the Portuguese star has dominated previous meetings between them with 25 goals in 35 all-time matchups. There's only one other team against which he's scored more goals.
A return to Madrid was painted as Simeone's nightmare in the Champions League last 16, but the La Liga champions rolled back the years as the match ended in a gritty 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital.
Ronaldo's performance became another point of frustration, as United struggled to step up, before Anthony Elanga's late equalizer rescued a point, as Simeone rallied his warriors at the Wanda.
MORE: Elanga seals Man United draw at Atletico Madrid
No warm welcome in Madrid for Ronaldo
There is no love lost between the Atletico faithful and Ronaldo, with the 36-year-old making no secret of his enjoyment at being their nemesis down the years. Simeone played on that.
The Argentine's touchline theatrics got the home crowd wound up and Ronaldo's infrequent touches were met with an explosion of negative noise.
However, despite the narrative being built around him, Ronaldo's indifferent 2022 form continued, as United failed to register a shot on target in the first half, with Ronaldo dragging a half-chance well wide.
Manchester United failed to register a single shot on target in the first half against Atlético Madrid.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 23, 2022
2 shots. 0.05 Expected Goals.
Ronaldo spent the bulk of the second period gesticulating to teammates about overhit passes or missed runs as United failed to generate any real rhythm.
The former Juventus man was handed one late chance to test Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak, but his free kick flew over the bar, before substitute Elanga finally rescued a point for Rangnick.
The debate over Ronaldo's benefit to this United team will roll until the last ball is kicked this season, but against an Atletico side that has already conceded more goals in a season under Simeone than at any other time in his tenure, Ronaldo was unable to find his groove.
Simeone finds his fire against Cristiano
Atletico's La Liga title defense has disappeared this season with Simeone's charges in a scrap just to make a top-four finish in Spain.
However, despite fresh questions over his longevity in Madrid, the Rojiblancos dug deep for their manager, and can count themselves unlucky to have conceded from their one shot on target against.
Injuries played a role in Simeone's selection, as did the presence of Ronaldo stalking around in his penalty box, leading to the manager's decision to start with a five-man defense.
Sime Vrsaljko and Stefan Savic partnered on the right, with Renan Lodi and Reinildo on the left, while rugged Uruguayan center back Jose Maria Gimenez served as the anchor of the group.
Vrsaljko and Savic's detail was Man United's Marcus Rashford, with Reinildo and Lodi managing Jadon Sancho, and Gimenez occupied by Ronaldo in the center.
The ploy worked perfectly, as Vrsaljko and Reinildo covered the runs of Rashford and Sancho, and Savic and Lodi marked the space they looked to dart into to provide ammunition for Ronaldo.
With his supply line cut, Ronaldo roamed deeper and deeper, into Atletico midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia's territory, and eventually fizzled out as he smothered Bruno Fernandes' influence, and ended the game with just 36 touches inside 90 minutes.
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Ralf Rangnick's questionable lineup choices
While Simeone galvanized and rejiggered his troops, Rangnick's changes upset the balance of his team in Madrid.
Victor Lindelof at right back deprived Sancho of a rampaging Diogo Dalot to overload the defenders on his flank and create chances for Ronaldo.
The absence of Scott McTominay due to illness also meant United lacked a progressive ball winner in midfield, with Fernandes and Paul Pogba out of sync with Fred.
And finally Ronaldo.
As the fourth assistant's board popped up time and again late on, there was never any danger of Ronaldo's '7' being raised aloft, and Rangnick has his reasons.
Ronaldo's late goals dragged United through the group stages, but the situation has pivoted in 2022, with just one second half goal from open play since December 2.
It's been apparent that under Rangnick, Ronaldo just hasn't been the same player who carried United on his back in the first half of the season. His 12-goal haul in 16 matches, has morphed into just three goals in 13 matches since Rangnick took over.
The coaching staff and its most important forward have two weeks until the rematch to figure things out.
