Atletico in Madrid (2022): Sam Carney
“Due partially to Covid restrictions, I’ve solely finished two European aways up to now with United – Nicosia on Thursday will likely be my third. Bruges in 2020 was nice, however I beloved going to Madrid for the Atletico sport earlier this 12 months.
“It was my first time within the Spanish capital and, though restricted with what we see as a result of work commitments, the sense of Madrid as a soccer metropolis actually got here throughout. The Wanda Metropolitano is an excellent, trendy soccer theatre and there was a dramatic sense of anticipation previous to our Champions League round-of-16 conflict with Diego Simeone’s aspect, as Atleti followers gathered outdoors the bottom early.
“The stadium actually shook because the Argentine’s title was learn out, alongside his squad, previous to kick-off: it was fairly the reception. A poor sport was salvaged by Anthony Elanga’s late equaliser, which silenced the house trustworthy – all I may hear for days afterwards was his chant, to the tune of Snap’s Rhythm is a Dancer!”
Sheriff Tiraspol in Chisinau (2022): Harry Robinson
“Final season’s Champions League run introduced some very nice journeys with it. Bergamo was an simply accessible and beautiful metropolis with nice meals and a brilliantly old school away finish. Madrid had the February sunshine, a brand new, thrilling stadium to see and the texture of a very huge match. However I feel the actual stand-out journeys for me are the trickier ones. I drastically regretted lacking out on Kazakhstan in 2019, and so when Sheriff got here out of the hat this 12 months, I rapidly sorted myself out for it. And there are a number of causes it stands out.
“Chisinau, Moldova was a spot I’d by no means usually go to, and having the excuse of United was superb. It’s a terrific metropolis with fascinating and distinctive sights, day journeys and dust low-cost high-quality foods and drinks. The size and problem of the journey additionally condensed the assist right down to a hardcore stuffed with recognisable faces and dedicated Reds. Plus the journey’s hurdles give it a way of actual journey in an period the place journey is so easy. Discovering routes again through Romania, Italy, Denmark, Poland and all over the place else on the continent is a part of the enjoyable. So it may be solely a few weeks again, however Moldova has been my favorite up to now.”
