Real Madrid, Man City draw in Champions League quarter-final

In a thrilling encounter at the Bernabeu, defending champions Manchester City and Real Madrid shared six goals, leaving their Champions League quarter-final finely balanced after the first leg.

Pep Guardiola’s side seized an early lead in the second minute when Bernardo Silva ingeniously curled a 25-yard free-kick around the wall and past Andriy Lunin.

Two deflected strikes saw the 14-time European Cup winners Madrid draw level. First, Eduardo Camavinga’s long-range attempt struck Ruben Dias and spun into the far corner of Stefan Ortega’s net, before Rodrygo capitalized on a gap in the City defense and poked home via Manuel Akanji’s heel.

Despite City’s dominance in possession throughout the match, they struggled to find quality in the final third until Phil Foden intervened. The England midfielder, who had been on the periphery of the game, found space just outside the box to turn and dispatch a fierce shot into the top corner, restoring parity for City.

Shortly thereafter, left-back Josko Gvardiol cut inside and expertly found the far corner with a precise right-footed strike, marking his first goal since joining City from RB Leipzig in the summer.

However, Madrid leveled the scoreline with a spectacular volley from Federico Valverde, setting the stage for an enthralling second leg at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, April 17th, where City secured a 4-0 victory over Madrid in last season’s semi-finals.

Despite the excitement, there was a late concern for City as Foden hobbled off the field following a late tackle on his ankle.

City show resolve

Manchester City, reigning champions of this tournament following their historic Treble last season, entered this match with Kevin de Bruyne on the bench due to illness on Tuesday.

Their start was flawless as Silva cleverly curled in the opener after Jack Grealish was fouled by Aurelien Tchouameni, who will now miss the second leg.

Guardiola’s side experienced a setback with Madrid’s swift response, but they demonstrated patience in their build-up play, with Madrid opting to sit back and allow the Premier League champions possession, only pressing when City approached the penalty area.

This tactic proved effective for large portions of the game, creating counter-attacking opportunities for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. However, City’s superior quality eventually made the difference.

Foden, who had been relatively quiet, alternating between wide right and attacking midfield, continued his superb season by intelligently turning and unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top-right corner of the net.

When Gvardiol put City ahead, it seemed as though they were poised for only their second victory at the Bernabeu, until they were equalized by Valverde’s magnificent low strike.

Nevertheless, City now have the opportunity to advance to the semi-finals for the fourth consecutive season at home, where they have recently overwhelmed opponents in the Champions League.

Madrid exploit City’s lack of pace

This Real Madrid team presents a stark departure from the dominant sides that previously ruled the tournament in this century.

Their defensive-oriented shape, often with all 11 players behind the ball, indicated a high level of respect for City, while also potentially revealing vulnerabilities stemming from last season’s humbling defeat in Manchester.

Nonetheless, their disciplined defensive structure enabled them to exploit one of City’s few weaknesses. With Guardiola’s side lacking pace at the back, particularly in the continued absence of Kyle Walker, Rodrygo found space down the City right to score Madrid’s second goal.

This weakness was repeatedly targeted by Madrid, who currently lead La Liga and enjoyed a nine-day break prior to the match. However, despite efforts from Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo, their attempts were either saved or off target.

This tactical approach is likely to be employed once more at the Etihad Stadium in the upcoming second leg. However, last season, Ancelotti’s team struggled to gain possession in the face of a determined City, limiting their chances.

It will be intriguing to observe if Guardiola’s side, who are just one point off the top spot in the Premier League and have progressed to the FA Cup semi-finals, can replicate their performance and maintain their pursuit of another Treble.