Manchester City 2 Real Madrid 1: City overcome a tough opening to prove themselves in Spain | OneFootball

Manchester City 2 (Nico O’Reilly 35′, Erling Haaland 43 ‘(P))

Real Madrid 1 (Rodrygo 28′)

Manchester have beaten Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu tonight to pick a vital three points in their matchday six Champions League league phase fixture. Pep Guardiola named an unchanged starting lineup from his team’s impressive win over Sunderland. After a tough opening half-hour, his team delivered. They also showed their maturity with a professional performance.

First half

It was apparent in the game’s opening seconds that Real Madrid were determined to press Pep Guardiola’s team with vigour. The hosts were clearly for the fight. In the second minute, they were seemingly awarded a penalty. The Real Madrid press caught Bernardo Silva out on the edge of the City area and the ball fell to Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian international made his way into the box and was fouled by Matheus Nunes. The referee initially awarded a penalty. But after a quick VAR check, the foul by Matheus Nunes occurred just outside the area. Real Madrid were awarded a free kick which Federico Valverde hammered into the wall and the ball went just wide of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal.

After Real Madrid’s energetic opening, Manchester City began to dominate possession. Up until the 15th minute, Pep Guardiola’s side had 73% of possession. But they hadn’t created any significant chances despite their dominance of possession.

After Manchester City’s bright start in possession, Real Madrid began to grow into the game. At the 25-minute mark, Xabi Alonso’s side had had 4 shots to City’s 0, but nothing that Real Madrid had created had caused Pep Guardiola’s side any major issues. The problem with Manchester City’s possession play was that it lacked any real cutting edge to get through or behind the Real Madrid defence.

Real Madrid takes the lead.

In the 28th minute, Real Madrid would take the lead. Bernardo Silva was dispossessed by Alvaro Carreras on Manchester City’s right wing. Carreras found Jude Bellingham in midfield who had acres of space to drive at the Manchester City defence. Bellingham found Rodrygo on the left wing who made his way into the City penalty area. Rodrygo beat Gianluigi Donnarumma with a smart finish to give Real Madrid the lead. The goal was a simple one and Pep Guardiola would be fuming with how easily his team was broken down.

Nico O’Reilly equalises for Manchester City!!!!!

Pep Guardiola’s side would equalise seven minutes after falling behind. A quality corner was delivered by Rayan Cherki to the back post. Josko Gvardiol got on the end of Cherki’s delivery and Thibaut Courtois could only parry Gvardiol’s header back into a dangerous position. Nico O’Reilly was the quickest to react and he tapped the ball into to make it 1-all. It would get even better for Pep Guardiola’s side eight minutes later.

Erling Haaland gives City the lead with a cool and composed penalty.

Manchester City would take the lead in the 43rd minute. Antonio Rudiger fouled Erling Haaland as the Norwegian international attempted to get on the end of a quality dinked cross from Nico O’Reilly. Initially referee Clement Turpin missed Rudiger’s foul. But after being called to the monitor by VAR, Turpin awarded City a penalty. Haaland sent Courtois the wrong way from the spot to give his team a 2-1 lead.

On the stroke of halftime, Thibaut Courtois would make a stunning double save to deny Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki which prevented Manchester City from taking a 3-1 lead. Courtois’ heroics made up for his error which gifted City their equaliser.

At halftime Pep Guardiola’s side had fought back from 1-nil down to hold a 2-1 lead. They had overcome an early setback and a rabid Bernabeu crowd to give themselves something to hold onto in the second half. You could sense the agitation from the Real Madrid fans at the interval.

Second half

The second half began with Real Madrid pushing for an equaliser. Jude Bellingham would put a good chance over the crossbar in the 50th minute.

From that moment onwards City would have good chances to extend their lead. Rayan Cherki saw a deflected effort unfortunately fall into Thibaut Courtois’ arms from close range. Jeremy Doku would force a quality save from his Belgian teammate as City pushed for a third goal.

Late substitute Endrick would hit the bar late on as Real Madrid pushed in the game’s closing stages for an equaliser. But they would fail to sufficiently test Gianluigi Donnarumma and Manchester City would leave the Bernabeu with a 2-1 win. The result was huge for City’s Champions League campaign and could prove to be invaluable for their confidence.

First thoughts at the final whistle.

Manchester City did what they had to do to beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. City weren’t at their best in the opening half-hour of the game but Rodrygo’s goal seemed to galvanise Pep Guardiola’s side. Goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland gave City the lead before halftime. On the balance of play, Pep Guardiola’s side deserved their victory.

While Real Madrid were depleted in terms of their squad depth, a win at the Bernabeu is nothing to sneeze at. Tonight’s victory is Manchester City’s fourth in a row and they will enter this weekend’s Premier League fixture against high-flying Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park full of confidence. All told, it was a great result for Manchester City at a venue where they have typically been up against it in the past.