Watching Pep Guardiola watch this Champions League semi-final thriller, which at various times showed a healthy lead in the first match for his team from Manchester City, was to witness a manager in agony.
He was hot when Riyad Marez hit the side net with Phil Foden for a pass in front of the door. That could have been 3-0 for City in 26 minutes.
Guardiola looked as if he wanted to shrink into a ball when Ruben Diaz handed over possession shortly after and allowed Vinicius Jr. to break through, although the Real Madrid striker could not finish. City’s defense was unusually loose.
And what about the moment in the 54th minute, shortly after Foden made 3-1? Guardiola expected a throw for his team just to go in the opposite direction. He reacted by chasing the fourth referee, who received a yellow card. Vinícius will make it 3-2 almost immediately.
Here’s what City’s quest for the first Champions League does for the person who wants it, maybe needs it more than anyone. And maybe that’s what the game against this Real team does to opponents. Facing them is like walking in a park with a lion of freedom. Okay, even quite nice, exciting. Then suddenly it’s not good. When Gabriel Jesus made it 2-0 in the 11th minute, it seemed incredibly easy for City. They could lead 4-0 in the first half hour. Still, the lead was only 2-1 at halftime, with Karim Benzema showing up to show his deadly advantage.
Karim Benzema punches the ball over Ederson to throw another lifeline to Real Madrid. Photo: Peter Powell / EPA
City pressed again after Vinicius’ goal. When Alexander Zinchenko was fouled by Tony Kroos, everyone seemed to stop – certainly Eduardo Camavinga and Danny Carvajal did. Bernardo Silva did not. With referee Istvan Kovacs playing a smart lead, the City midfielder fired an arrow into the near top corner and Guardiola could lose himself in enjoyment.
This will not continue, Real took a break to regain. Jumping for a high ball, Aymeric Laport nodded in his outstretched hand. Punishment. No one doubted that Benzema would transform, but the Panenka, sunk in the middle, in perfect disguise, was the audacity and composure of another plane. Benzema is the top scorer in the race with 14, while he has 41 goals in 41 games for Real this season. Guardiola leaned back on the drink cooler.
Real was the second best for the long periods of the 1/16 finals and quarterfinals against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. And yet they found a way to get through – partly because of Benzema’s goals, partly because of their history of who they are. The 13-time winners refuse to lose in this race. And they are still alive in this edition.
Kevin De Bruyne shot with his head in the opening goal two minutes later. Photo: Tom Jenkins / Guardian
In the last act, Diaz stretched on the far post of Real to meet a cross, but failed to stretch enough. Guardiola went through his last distortions. In the midst of the moment, it was possible to forget that City actually defeated the chosen champion of Spain, beating them for long periods. They had to score more goals. It is never good to allow this adversary to fight another day.
It was the third semi-final for the European Cup, while for Real it was number 31. Just enjoy it, Guardiola told his players, and City did just that in the beginning, taking the first blood after 93 seconds. Marez cut into a seam of space, pulling away from Luka Modric before choosing the late break of Kevin De Bruyne, who threw his head with Carvajal – and then Thibaut Courtois – swinging.
Etihad was a strangely muted place to count down to the beginning. Now he moved, and when the second goal came, there was joy, even distrust. Foden slipped to the left, and when he found De Bruyne, the cross was hit in the area. David Alaba tried to pinch in front of Jesus to pinch the possession, which felt risky, and he was confused. When Jesus turned, the ball was still there at his feet. The finale was simple.
Real’s defenders were uncomfortable, especially on the ball, when City pressed. Visitors were there to capture, and there was a sense that City was on the verge of severe damage. Marez had to pass to Foden just to take the hit – a bad decision – as Foden slid away from the far post after a smooth counterattack. Foden’s quick legs and velvety touch were eye-catching features.
However, the tremors in defense were not exceptional for Real. City goalkeeper Ederson played a few bad passes in the first half, causing pressure while Dias was caught on the ball more than once. Vinicius flashed, Alaba rose to shoot his head to the side, and then Benzema scored with a controlled volley from a cross by Ferland Mendy.
The Fiver: register and receive our daily football email.
Guardiola had to replace the injured John Stones, who replaced the right back in the absence of Kyle Walker and Joao Cancello, with Fernandinho. This was the 36-year-old footballer who centered for Foden’s goal – moments after Eder Militao allowed Marez to break through to head to the far post. From the rebound, Foden fired and Carvajal blocked.
But it was Fernandinho who was defeated and overtaken by Vinicius 3-2, City’s defensive cover was not visible. Laporte and Marez missed great chances on both sides of Silva’s door, but the last word was for Benzema.
Add Comment