Jozep Ilic was the first player to reach the corner kick but his header was blocked by the keeper.
Although the Italians looked more likely to double their lead, Cristiano Ronaldo equalized on the stroke of half-time, ending United’s excellent first-half play to restore parity.
But Zapata’s second-half goal restored Atalanta’s lead and after United continued to press, Ronaldo salvaged a point with his second goal of the game in the 91st minute.
The point is that with two days to go in the group, it’s balanced, with United topping the group and a good chance to thank Ronaldo.
After the game, Ronaldo said his team were “a bit lucky” to salvage a tie against Atalanta.
“We never give up, we believe until the end, this is a good result for us. The beginning was difficult, we knew that Atalanta would put a lot of pressure, they have a great coach, when he played for Juventus. So they were always difficult. In the end we were a bit lucky but that’s football.
“We still have to improve, we have different players, different systems, we have to adapt to each other, but it will take time. We have time to get better and better.
From here to there
With Group F difficult to separate after three games, United’s trip to Bergamo was one with big implications.
Saturday’s impressive 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League eased some of the pressure on coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but if they are to continue in the Premier League, progress to the next round of the Champions League May be necessary. the work.
And it was almost the perfect start for the Norwegians, as Scott McTominay’s first deflected goal was lured into the Atalanta goal before the goalkeeper hit the stranded post.
And United were made to pay minutes later, as the locals took the lead thanks to Iličić.
His shot came in from the right hand but David De Gea was able to make an incredible save.
After scoring that crucial first goal, Atlanta continued to look for the most dangerous team up front.
Zapata had a few snapshots, while the local team’s penalty appeals went futile even after the video assistant checked.
And they were made to pay in stoppage time before the end of the first half, as United produced their best attacking play of the match.
A good combination between Mason Greenwood, Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes opened up the Atalanta defence, and a delicate backheel from Fernandes released the ball attractively for Ronaldo to slot home.
It was the Portuguese’s 138th goal in the Champions League and his fourth in four games in Europe since his return to United.
At this point in the match, Solskjaer was using his skills to press the game to successfully stop it.
A more complex…