Manchester City 2-3 Real Madrid: Match review | OneFootball

A dramatic Champions League clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid, who are meeting in the competition for the fourth straight season, saw the Merengues claim a 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium. Carlo Ancelotti’s men will take home a crucial advantage from the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie ahead of next week’s bout at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Coming into the couple of fixtures, the odds were fairly even given the inconsistencies both teams have displayed this season along with their injury problems. However, with City’s home advantage and the Merengues winning just once in their previous three attempts prior to the game, it was comfortable to assume that the hosts were the favourites to take something to Spain.

However, it was Real Madrid who started the match on the front foot and were perhaps too ineffective in the final third to not have been 2-0 up within 20 minutes. A great attacking move from the Premier League side nearly made them repent the missed chances as Erling Haaland scored his first-ever goal against the 15-time Champions League winners on his fifth time asking.

In spite of City’s goal, Los Blancos were in control for much of the game but particularly turned the screws in the second half. After a few chances went begging, Kylian Mbappe scored a volley off his shin from Dani Ceballos’ inch-perfect cross. Admittedly, it was a scrappy goal but one that the visitors would take given that they had been the better side for much of the contest.

After the equaliser, it was all Real Madrid and it looked like they would take the lead when Federico Valverde dissected the hosts’ backline with a superb performance from the right to Jude Bellingham. The Englishman reached his teammate’s pass but fired straight at Ederson, who kept the scores level with a fine save from close range and City got rid of any potential follow-throughs.

Phil Foden was looking decent on the night and his mazy footwork earned Pep Guardiola’s side a penalty 10 minutes ahead of full-time. Erling Haaland dispatched it nonchalantly by sending Thibaut Courtois the wrong way to make it 2-1.

The Merengues had not had their final say, however, as is always the case in the Champions League as Ancelotti introduced Luka Modric into the game and Brahim Diaz soon after him.

The latter made an instant impact off the bench as he met Ederson’s parry off Vinicius Junior to bag the team’s second equaliser of the night.

Five minutes later, deep into stoppage time, Jude Bellingham was at the end of a Vinicius Junior pass to tap home from close range and ensure a 3-2 win for the visitors. A memorable performance was capped off by a winning combination two of Real’s most clutch performers.

Vinicius Junior was adjudged the Man of the Match for his two assists as he performed on the big stage yet again, while his 13th assist in the knockout stages of the Champions League saw him overtake Lionel Messi’s 12. He sits just two behind the all-time leader of the assist charts in European knockouts, none other than the imperious Cristiano Ronaldo.

For Real Madrid, there are no suspensions for the second leg while Ancelotti also confirmed he expects Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba back for the Bernabeu clash. Man City, meanwhile, could miss both, Jack Grealish and Manuel Akanji, after they had to be substituted due to injuries. The next game is on Wednesday, February 19th, and Los Blancos will look to get the job done in front of their fans.