The Wanda Metropolitano rises from the Las Rosas neighbourhood of Madrid, set against the backdrop of the Sierra del Norte mountains, a blood red glow seeping from underneath the white collar that rings this imposing arena.
Along the Avenida Arcentales, thousands of fans gathered more than two hours before kick-off on Wednesday night to welcome the Atletico Madrid team bus and give Manchester United the hostile reception they were fully expecting.
The 68-500-capacity stadium hadn’t replaced the old Vicente Calderon, located much closer to the centre of the Spanish capital, as Atletico’s home when David de Gea left to join United for £18.