Manchester City continue on their path to what they hope will be their first Champions League triumph when they host Real Madrid tonight at the Etihad. This is the first match of the semifinal clash, as Pep Guardiola wants to take the lead in the return match next week in Madrid.
City have already knocked out a La Liga team, struggling to beat Atletico Madrid in the final round in a largely hostile draw. Meanwhile, Real have tried to beat the English team after knocking out Chelsea in the quarter-finals.
It was not very convincing on the part of Carlo Ancelotti – at one point they were 3-0 at the Bernabeu and on the verge of coming out. But Real, who have effectively won the league title this season, have done almost enough to advance to the last four.
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It promises to be an exciting draw between the most successful team in the history of the competition and the one who seems to have everything it takes to lift the trophy for the first time.
Starting at 20:00 BST and James Robson at Etihad, providing expert analysis, follow the whole action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below …
Man City vs. Real Madrid latest news
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38 minutes: The ball shrank in the field of Real, fell for Marez on the back post, but the whistle disappeared. The referee thinks that Jesus pushed Mandy.
Real were second best for long periods against PSG and Chelsea in previous rounds, but kept and did the job. Their experience is manifesting again.
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36 minutes: Good performance from the corner, Militao gets up and shoots with his head over the crossbar.
The city is forced to make a quick change. Stones, who was obviously not fully fit, was replaced by Fernandinho.
It seems to be a direct exchange. Vinicius will certainly imagine his chances of playing against Fernandinho.
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35 minutes: Suddenly Real looks full of confidence, dominating possession.
Carvajal plays it inside, and Rodrigo has an acre of space. He crashes into the box, punches it to the target. Right in Ederson and he parries it from behind. Angle.
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GOAL! Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid Karim Benzema 33 ‘
REAL IS BACK TO HIM!
WHO. otherwise. City is already made to regret the missed chances.
Sensational ending. Mandy’s cross is nothing special, but Benzema is there to soften the blow with his left foot in the bottom corner.
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James Robson at the Etihad
What a game this is. City should have four. Real must have one. This is from end to end and there is a feeling that there are so many more goals.
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31 minutes: Benzema loses patience with his teammate and decides that he will have to do things alone. He takes it forward and wins a corner for Real.
The Frenchman made a short stop at Kroos, returned it and Benzema scored a wonderful cross in the penalty area. Alaba turns it on, flying inches from the far pillar. Ederson barely moved.
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29 minutes: City seem determined to let Real get back into it!
Laporte’s back pass is heavy and Ederson sweats briefly as he rolls towards the goal. Stones then gives it to Vinicus, crashes into the box, but can’t do anything about it.
City is resting again and there is a ridiculous amount of space. De Bruyne’s pass is perfect for Foden, who is in – the first touch is not the best and he passes the shot a little away from the far post. Huge chance.
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27 minutes: MUST be 3-0!
Seconds after Real almost scored, City really had to put that to bed. Guardiola is raging on the goal line.
It leads to Marez, which is not marked and reaches the door. It’s a 3-on-1, he has teammates in the middle, but Marez puts him in the side net from a narrow corner. If I roll it through the box, it’s naked.
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26 minutes: Marez is looking for a sweet pass to De Bruyne. Cut by Modric, who duly sends it back to the city man.
Fortunately for Modric and Real, Marez slips and the ball goes out of play.
Really at the other end … City got caught … HIT THE SORROW! The hosts are so easy-going that Benzema wins it and then bounces off Vinicius on the far post. Stay down – the offside flag is raised.
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23 minutes: Real’s midfielder is in the air and City can attack forward in the middle.
De Bruyne slides it to Jesus, but too much on the pass and the Brazilian can not collect. Visitors seem to miss Kazemiro a lot, they are so vulnerable right now.
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