Anthony Ilanga became Manchester United’s savior during Wednesday’s Champions League match against Atlético Madrid.
The 19-year-old Swede came off the bench and scored the equalizer, which provides a wide open starting point before settling the crucial comeback.
I dreamed of moments like this to score goals in the Champions League. I think the goal came from the first touch. It was a dream come true, the Swede told BT Sports, about the goal that came after an icy end.
Watch the goal in the video window at the top of the case!
– I’m always calm. When I get the chance, I’ll pay the coach and give it my all. I give 150 percent every time I’m on the court, and I love it. “I will always be the best player on the field,” says Ilanga.
The national team manager, Stoll Solbakken, praised the Swede’s strength in the Champions League studios on TV2 after the match.
– He was wealthy in terms of entry and courage at a young age. Ståle Solbakken, the national team manager, says he’s joining a team that doesn’t work at United, but has managed to adapt.
Erik Thorstvedt adds that Elanga should be pretty close to the rookie on a united team full of expensive attacking stars.
– He’ll likely be among the first 13 coaches to consider when a team would be sent off, says Solbakken, who highlights one trait in the Swedish super talent:
– He has speed in his body from his dad Joseph Ilanga who destroyed him as a left-back in Scandinavia a few years ago.
Anthony Ilanga’s father, Joseph Ilanga, played in Malmö from 2002 to 2005. He also visited Brondby and Horsens in Denmark. Photography: Emil Malmburg / Bildebrien
Anthony Ilanga was brought from Malmö to the Manchester United academy when he was 12 years old. In May last year, he made his debut with the team under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Since then, the 19-year-old has been breathing fresh air through a brutal winter for United, gradually gaining more confidence under Ralf Rangnick.
When asked if the Swedish super talent would suit his coach, Solbakken replied:
– Rangnick did not appear in Manchester United anything to indicate that he did an offensive action. But he gave a lot of confidence to a player like Ilanga, and was tough on team selection and changes.
– The other player should be a role model
Rangnick himself spoke enthusiastically about the United champions Wednesday after the match.
– Elanga plays as if it were a dream come true for him! It is a great pleasure and a pleasure to see him play football, says the United manager, who believes this is something other players should follow:
– I wish some other players would use him as a role model. It’s not about doing everything right on the field, but because he enjoys himself when he plays. It’s about having fun on the pitch, and I wish we could have done more of that.
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