A dramatic confrontation of the Champions League between Manchester City and Real MadridWho meet in the competition for the fourth consecutive season, saw the Merengues claim a 3-2 victory at the Etihad stadium. The men of Carlo Ancelotti will win a crucial advantage of the first stage of their equality of the Champions League before next week’s fight at Santiago Bernabeu.
By entering the two games, the chances were even given the inconsistencies that the two teams have posted this season with their injury problems. However, with City’s home advantage and the Merengues winning only once in their three previous attempts before the match, it was comfortable to assume that the hosts were the favorites to take something in Spain.
However, it was Real Madrid that started the match on the front foot and was perhaps too ineffective in the last third for not having been 2-0 in 20 minutes. A great move striker of the Premier League team almost made them repent of the missing chances while Erling Haaland scored his very first goal against the 15 times winners of the Champions League during his fifth time.
Despite the city’s goal, Los Blancos was in control for a large part of the game, but particularly turned the screws in the second half. After a few chances have gone, Kylian Mbappe marked a volley of his Tibia of the perfect cross of Dani Ceballos. Admittedly, it was a disjointed objective but that visitors would take, since they had been the best side for a large part of the competition.
After the equalizer, it was all Real Madrid and it seemed to take the lead when Federico Valverde dissected the bottom line of the hosts with a superb right performance at Jude Bellingham. The Englishman reached the pass of his teammate but shot directly on Ederson, who kept the scores with a good backup at close range and the city got rid of any potential follow-up.
Phil Foden looked decent at night and his game of Mazy legs earned Pep Guardiola a penalty 10 minutes ahead. Erling Haaland sent him nonchalantly by sending Thibaut Courtois in the wrong direction to do it 2-1.
The Merengues had not had their last word, however, as is always the case in the Champions League when Encelotti introduced Luka Modric into the game and Brahim Diaz shortly after him.
The latter had an instant impact on the bench when he met the Ederson parry off Vinicius Junior to put the second equalizer of the night team.
Five minutes later, deeply in the time of stopping, Jude Bellingham was at the end of a junior collar in Vinicius to type at close range and ensure a 3-2 victory for visitors. A memorable performance was crowned by a winning combination of two of Real’s most engaged artists.
Vinicius Junior was tried the man of the match for his two assists while he was performing on the big stage, while his 13th assist in the stadiums with direct elimination of the Champions League saw him exceed 12 from Lionel Messi. Leader of time of assistance cards in European eliminations, none other than the imperious Cristiano Ronaldo.
For Real Madrid, there is no suspension for the second floor while Encelotti also confirmed that it expects that Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba for Bernabeu’s shock. Man City, meanwhile, could miss the two, Jack Grenish and Manuel Akanji, after having had to be replaced due to injuries. The next match will take place on Wednesday, February 19, and Los Blancos will seek to do work in front of their fans.
