In an absolutely incredible 90 minutes of attacking football, Manchester City beat Real Madrid in their first semi-final match of the Etihad Champions League on Tuesday 4-3. A wild game with what seemed like countless chances, the three goals from the first half were outscored by four in the second half, with Los Blancos remaining on strike before the rematch next week in Madrid, although it may not have been worth it.
City was obviously the better team with better chances and anyone who has witnessed this football spectacle should be surprised to see Real, even when life comes into rematch. City won the xG battle with 2.37-1.48, but while the hosts dominated with five more shots and nearly 20% more possession, missed chances will be remembered. With a slightly better finish or a real striker (for example, according to many rumors, the upcoming signing of Erling Haaland by Borussia Dortmund), they could really overtake the Spanish team by five or six.
Raising 2-0 in just 11 minutes through Kevin de Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus, Karim Benzema was the one to pull Real into one at 2-1 before Vinicius Jr. made it 3-2. Benzema then did it again, pulling Real within one late with the last goal of the match through a penalty.
Four different players scored for City, with Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva joining the top two, but Pep Guardiola will not be very excited about the result. Yes, victory is a victory, but City were well on their way to victory with several goals several times in this match, as Real returned and left everything to be decided at the Santiago Bernabeu.
With the draw Manchester City will feel …
Disappointed. It’s almost as if they’ve drawn, simply because a one-goal advantage isn’t what they think they deserve. They made Real Madrid’s defense look silly at times, and a series of center-backs later seemed to lead to fifth, but nothing came of it. They will remain a favorite in this tie, but what was supposed to be a comfortable night’s sleep will now be spinning and spinning, wondering what it might be.
With the draw, Real Madrid will feel …
Absolutely enthusiastic. They know they don’t have a job to keep so close, but their big boys have grown stronger with Benzema and Vinicius Jr., each of whom has scored stellar goals. Now the protection needs to be improved, because if not, they will be over. But they ended the 90 minutes with life in a match in which they seemed lifeless in 11 minutes.
A moment that changes the game: The nakedness of Vinicius Jr.
City led Real 3-1 in the 53rd minute when Phil Foden scored his well-deserved goal and it looked like the flood gates would open. But then, when Fernandinho scored, Vinicius Jr. scored one of the solo goals of the season. A fictitious nutmeg pushed him to the door halfway, finishing superbly from a narrow angle. Look at:
This goal kept Real in it, gave them a little more faith in momentum and prevented the result 4-1, which could have been a deadly blow.
Player of the match: Kevin de Bruyne
From our James Bage:
Another tie for the exhibit is bent according to the will of De Bruyne. From his perfect scorer to Riyad Marez’s cross, he was at his best, demonstrating a full repertoire of perfect passes, dynamic runs and strength in duels.
And Benge is right. He was out of this world and he was the best player on the field, but he knows that some of those balls he passed had to be put away. Can he repeat this performance in the rematch?
The most selfish moment of the game: a pass from Riyad Marez
With City in full control at 2-0 and with one goal likely to bring Real comfortable, Riyad Marez was sent to the right. He opened Phil Foden on the left side of the door, but he decided to do it …
It is impossible not to wonder whether this omission will haunt Manchester City.
Top skill demonstration: the delicious touch of Foden
You don’t need words to describe beauty. Just take a look at Foden, who is arranging a ball as if he has a magnet in his boot.
Or was it so?
We apologize in advance to our Mika Richards, who was caught on camera during the match with incredible skill. He ate pasta while watching the match, here’s how he reacted to de Bruyne’s opener.
It was an amazing time to keep this piece of foaming paste in your mouth and it could be said that it was more impressive than Foden. Look, this loan transfer to Fiorentina cost something!
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