We simulated Atalanta v Man United to get a Champions League score prediction

Manchester United face Atalanta on Tuesday evening in the Champions League, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side looking to build on their 3-0 win against Spurs at the weekend.

Solskjaer’s job as United boss was under serious scrutiny following the 5-0 defeat to Liverpool, but the board’s faith in the Norwegian was rewarded with a brilliant win against Tottenham — a result that led to the sacking of Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo, with rumoured United managerial target Antonio Conte # the firm favourite for the role.

A change in tactics saw United rely more on the counter-attack, switching to a 3-4-1-2 formation and partnering Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani in attack whilst Raphael Varane returned in defence, putting in a fine performance.

The new defensive approach by Solskjaer may be the way forward, but it l eaves out a wealth of attacking ability with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial all on the bench.

So, what line-up will Solskjaer select? And, what could the final score be?

We used FIFA 22 to get a score prediction for Atalanta v United on Tuesday and this is what happened…

Atalanta v Manchester United score predicted by FIFA 22 simulation

We used kick-off mode in FIFA 22, but didn’t select a team to control, we then selected the teams and watched the match play out by itself, to give us a score prediction.

Atalanta are unlicensed in FIFA 22 after the club signed an exclusive partnership agreement with Konami, meaning EA Sports cannot use Atalanta’s official name, badge and kit in FIFA 22, and instead, have named them ‘Bergamo Calcio’ with a generic badge and kit.

We predict that Atalanta could set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Musso; de Roon, Demiral, Palomino; Zappacosta, Koopmeiners, Freuler, Maehle; Paslic, Ilicic; Zapata.

We also predict that United could set up in a 5-2-1-2 formation, with their line-up as follows: D e Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Fernandes; Rashford, Ronaldo.

United started strong away in Italy, controlling the early stages and picking off Atalanta as they looked to press them, despite missing a number of key players through injury.

United opened the scoring midway through the first half after Bruno Fernandes fired in a brilliant strike from the edge of the penalty box to give the visitors a 1-0 lead on the half-hour mark.

Atalanta responded 10 minutes later as Duvan Zapata slotted the ball into the top left corner following some nice build-up play from the hosts. United lost concentration as Aaron Wan-Bissaka was beaten too easily down United’s right side, allowing Joakim Maehle to deliver the ball into Zapata on the penalty spot, and the Colombian fired home to make it 1-1 heading into the break.

Ronaldo put United ahead on the hour mark with a tidy finish at the near post after Solskjaer’s side worked the ball across the pitch.

Wan-Bissaka burst into the box before rolling the ball to Rashford who did brilliantly to poke it around Demiral and into the Portuguese striker’s feet. Ronaldo composed himself and slotted the ball into the net, despite Juan Musso’s best efforts to deny the forward.

Atalanta managed to find a late equaliser as United struggled to deal with a loose ball in the box.

Davide Zappacosta’s dangerous cross led to a mix-up between Lindelof and Varane as the ball fell to the unmarked Zapata in the penalty box, and Atalanta’s star man tucked the ball into the net, bagging his and Atalanta’s second of the game with just two minutes to play.

Atalanta’s second came too late in the game for United as Solskjaer brought on Sancho and Greenwood to try and snatch a late winner.

Two mistakes in defence would cost United the win in Italy, with a crucial trip to Villareal up next for them in the Champions League.

FIFA 22 predicted final score: Atalanta 2-2 Manchester United

Here are the full-time match stats.

FIFA 22 predicts that United will dominate possession and have the better chances against an injury-stricken Atalanta side, but two mistakes in defence at crucial moments in the game will cost them all three points.

An unconvincing performance from United keeps the pressure on the players and manager ahead of the Manchester derby at the weekend.

What do you think the final score will be in the real game? Let us know in the comments below.

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